New Member Barrel Marking Question

[Kevin Hesseltine]

Recently joined and excited about learning more about my 20 gauge S/S. I got it from my father in law when he died, I believe he got it from his father. Serial number is 133583. There are several markings inside that I am trying to find out more about. Below are the pictures. Thanks for any info y'all might have

[Randy G Roberts]

Hi Kevin and welcome aboard. The "1" on the lug is the frame size and the "k" would appear to be the mark of Charles King. The "3 5" is the unstruck barrel weight of 3lbs 5 oz. I cannot make out the letter next to that mark, is it a V or a K ? The WK in the oval is the mark of Walter King while the "V" on the water table is the grade. I find it interesting that this gun has what appears to be markings of both Walter and Charles King. I have not seen this before that I recall, surely others have and will offer comments.

[Kevin Hesseltine]

Randy, thanks for getting back. I believe that one marking is a V.

[Dave Noreen]

The 1 on the bottom of the barrel lug is the frame size meaning the center-to-center firing pin spacing is 1 1/16. The little K and whatever the other mark is on the lug are unknown. My 2-frame VH-Grade, 106580, has a very tiny 6 next to the 2 on the barrel lug.

The WK in the oval is the Walter King inspection mark. Not on my gun.

The Kf has had a couple of explanations over the years -- 1. that it is the Charles King finished mark; 2. and much more likely, it is the steel mark as it is found in the steel mark location on many early Vulcan Steel barrels. The Kf is in the same location on my gun.

The V on the watertable above the serial number is the grade of the gun.

[Randy G Roberts]

Randy, thanks for getting back. I believe that one marking is a V.

Then that would be the grade as well. It almost looks like a K to me but logic would make it a V.

[Jim DiSpagno]

Welcome Kevin. The “1” is the frame size the “WK” is for Walter Kinthe Parker Bros barrel man and the 3-5 is the unstruck barrel weight. Please clean the gun with Hoppes No. 9 and a frontier pad to remove rust and dirt

[Dave Noreen]

Serial number is 133583.

Looks like 133683 on the watertable to my eyes. Whichever is correct, the Research Letter home page shows there are surviving records for a letter on your gun.

[Joe Dreisch]

Frontier pad is at big45metalcleaner.com you will be amazed at the results (keep it off of the wood). Please post pictures when it is cleaned up!

[Kevin Hesseltine]

Joe D. thanks for the info on the frontier pad. I will be definitely ordering that. I will post the pics of the shotgun, after I get it all cleaned up.

[Harry Collins]

A #1 frame 20 gauge must be a very stout Parker. I have a few #1 framed 12 gauges, but just can't recall noticing a #1 frame 20.

[Randy G Roberts]

Recently I have come across the letter "C" that has been stamped on the lug. One a D grade, the other a V. Any idea what or more likely "who" this might represent. Seems odd that the gauge designation has been replaced by this marking.

[Kevin Hesseltine]

Looks like 133683 on the watertable to my eyes. Whichever is correct, the Research Letter home page shows there are surviving records for a letter on your gun.

Dave, after a very closer look with a magnifying glass, you are correct the serial number is 133683. Great catch Thanks

[John Fritzke]

Recently I have come across the letter "C" that has been stamped on the lug. One a D grade, the other a V. Any idea what or more likely "who" this might represent. Seems odd that the gauge designation has been replaced by this marking.

I'm looking for the same information, since I own that V grade pictured.

[Dean Romig]

Has anyone looked at the section on barrel stamps and markings in The Parker Story yet?





.

[Randy G Roberts]

Has anyone looked at the section on barrel stamps and markings in The Parker Story yet?
.

Yes and I did not see anything......

[Kevin Hesseltine]

Recently joined and excited about learning more about my 20 gauge S/S. I got it from my father in law when he died, I believe he got it from his father. Serial number is 133583. There are several markings inside that I am trying to find out more about. Below are the pictures. Thanks for any info y'all might have

Here are the after pics, sorry it took so long to post these

[Bill Murphy]

Even though a #1 frame is large for a 20 gauge, the 3-5 barrel weight marking is common for a normal weight 20 gauge.

[edgarspencer]

Even though a #1 frame is large for a 20 gauge, the 3-5 barrel weight marking is common for a normal weight 20 gauge.

They likely have a similar swamp that the 0 frame 28 has.

[Dave Noreen]

Would be nice to have a 1-Frame 20-gauge to picture between my 2-frame left (stamped barrel weight 4-5) --

76279

and 0-Frame right (stamped barrel weight 3).

[Harry Collins]

I bet recoil on the 2 frame 20 is near nothing.