PH Grade

[Bill Jacobs]

Bear with me guys, as I am just trying to learn about Parkers. This gun is my first -- a "PH" grade gun with replacement barrels. The research letter says that the gun was made in 1917 with twist barrels. This gun has Vulcan Steel barrels, so, obviously, they have been replaced. I am curious whether it was a factory job or ??. The gun is a 16 gauge on a "0" frame and feels light as a feather. The barrels are 26" uncut. Chokes are about Skeet and Modified as nearly as I can gauge them. Can you tell anything from the photos who did the replacement barrels? Bill Schwarz resoldered the ribs and did a rust blue job on the barrels for me. He also replaced the "wedge" to get the center lever to rest where it should.

Thanks in advance!

Bill Jacobs


https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48038979642_0bdf995077_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2gc3jZG)PH Grade 16 Ga (https://flic.kr/p/2gc3jZG) by jakefromclemson (https://www.flickr.com/photos/24542443@N04/), on Flickr
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48038976897_ebf9f55d8c_z.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2gc3jbn)PH Top Lever (https://flic.kr/p/2gc3jbn) by jakefromclemson (https://www.flickr.com/photos/24542443@N04/), on Flickr
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48038915123_4d32affd9e_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2gc2ZPi)PH Lug Right (https://flic.kr/p/2gc2ZPi) by jakefromclemson (https://www.flickr.com/photos/24542443@N04/), on Flickr
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48038874296_d0be23079f_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2gc2MFo)PH Lug Center (https://flic.kr/p/2gc2MFo) by jakefromclemson (https://www.flickr.com/photos/24542443@N04/), on Flickr
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48038875231_f0a12e6173_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2gc2MXv)PH Frame (https://flic.kr/p/2gc2MXv) by jakefromclemson (https://www.flickr.com/photos/24542443@N04/), on Flickr
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48038918043_333b7bfbe1_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2gc31FD)PH Barrels (https://flic.kr/p/2gc31FD) by jakefromclemson (https://www.flickr.com/photos/24542443@N04/), on Flickr
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48038977402_db8331e837_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2gc3jk5)PH Recvr Left (https://flic.kr/p/2gc3jk5) by jakefromclemson (https://www.flickr.com/photos/24542443@N04/), on Flickr

[Mills Morrison]

Very nice gun. Hopefully, someone with more technical skill than I have can identify who did the barrels. You might send off for a factory letter too

[Brian Dudley]

The barrels are likely NOT factory replacements.

I say this due to two observations. The fit of the dolls head rib extension into the frame would be better than it is if it were a factory job. AND the serial number is stamped on the wrong side of the barrel lug. The factory would not have done that.

It does look to be a very nice gun with a lot of condition left on the frame.

[Bill Jacobs]

Thanks very much for your observations. Bill Schwarz noted the position of the serial number to me as well, Mr. Dudley. Who would have had access to Parker barrels to do the rebarreling work? Did Parker sell them to individual gunsmiths? I know the Vulcan barrels were made in greater numbers than any other Parker barrels.

The questions are academic only, as I intend to hunt with this gun, but I am trying my best to learn a bit of the history of these guns.

Bill Jacobs

[Brian Dudley]

Do you have a clear photo of the other side of the barrel lug?

[Bill Jacobs]

Does this help?

Bill

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48038978912_08fe610669_h.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2gc3jM7)PH Lug Left (https://flic.kr/p/2gc3jM7) by jakefromclemson (https://www.flickr.com/photos/24542443@N04/), on Flickr

[Brian Dudley]

Looks like original number was welded up and stamped on the other side for some reason. Barrels are just from another gun.

[Garry L Gordon]

Nice looking gun. If the barrels fit well and are sound, you have a nice example of one of the finest American made shotguns. I agree that a letter might be helpful, but again, if the gun is sound, all of it is Parker and should serve you well.

[Garry L Gordon]

...oh, yeah, and it's a 16!!! And an O frame!!

[Russell E. Cleary]

Bill:

Being interested in the gun's history, as you have said you are, the first place I'd start would be to seek a PGCA Factory Letter.

I have an 0-grade 16-gauge, and beyond disclosing what physical attributes of the gun are original, the letter tells me what retailer in Boston, Massachusetts it was originally shipped to, from Meriden in 1907.

[Harry Collins]

He has a letter as stated in his opening statement. A great little Parker with years of enjoyment ahead for you. Congratulations!

[Bill Jacobs]

Thanks to all. Yes, I do have a letter. It states that the gun was ordered by Schoverling Daly & Gales of New York in October of 1916. The order was for PH Grade with Twist steel barrels, 28 inches, with RH barrel choked modified and LH barrel choked full. It had a pistol grip stock. As you can see, the barrels are now 26 inches, Vulcan steel, and the chokes are about I.C. and Modified.

As far as the history of the gun after it left Parker, there are no records. It came to me from the estate of a veterinarian who apparently (according to his grandson who sold the gun to me) took firearms in barter for veterinary services. He had at least five Parkers that I saw and many other nice guns. Some were in better shape than others, as this fellow obviously used his shotguns.

When I bought the gun, the ribs were separating and needed attention. Ironically, I am a gunsmith. I am not, however, a double gun gunsmith! I do mostly rebarreling and chambering of bolt action rifles. Through a roundabout network of smiths that I know, I ended up sending the gun to Bill Schwarz in Georgia, and he did the work on the gun. I am very pleased with the piece and can't wait to use it, though upcoming rotator cuff surgery is going to knock me out of using it for this Fall's season:(

Bill Jacobs

[Russell E. Cleary]

He has a letter as stated in his opening statement. A great little Parker with years of enjoyment ahead for you. Congratulations!

Harry:
So true, and plain as day.

Bill:

Between the letter and the veterinarian's estate and then sale to you, that's some really good history. Thanks for relating it.

REC