20 gauge barrels

[Mike Franzen]

A friend called today about a set of 20 gauge barrels he has a chance to buy. Their serial number is 237731, 26” long, vent rib. According to the Serialization book that number has XT code 14 which is single trigger and ejectors. I believe it is also for BTFE. However, 18 is code for vent rib. So, without seeing the barrels would it be a good bet the rib was added aftermarket? Would anyone reading have the rest of the gun?

[Brett Souder]

Mike use the serial number in the search engine and that gun has been talked about on here years ago.
-Brett

[Dean Romig]

Mike, the barrels will need to be examined by a Parker expert in order to determine if the vent rib is a Parker Bros. factory installation. A research letter rather than the Serialization book info would likely be more accurate but may still not address the vent rib... even if done by PB.






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[Bobby Cash]

Almost 10 years but cool.

[Rich Anderson]

It's quite possible the serial number is engrave on the underside of the rib if the rid is original

[Dean Romig]

Last three digits usually between (if I remember correctly) the second and third posts from the breech end... hard to see - need good lighting and possibly an inspection mirror.





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[Rich Anderson]

I think my DHE 20 and the VHE 20 skeet have the entire serial number engraved on the bottom of the rib.

[Reggie Bishop]

I have a DHE 16 vent rib that letters. I tried to get a dental mirror under the rib and search for a serial number just to see if there was a number there. But there just isn't enough clearance between the rib and the barrel to see.

[Dean Romig]

I should have included magnifying glass in my earlier post. A strong light obliquely directed from the opposite side and a magnifying glass should reveal something.





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[Rich Anderson]

I have a GHE 32 inch vent rib 16 that's original but the serial number is very hard to find under the rib.

[Randy G Roberts]

Go outside on a good sunny day and the numbers under the rib will sometimes jump out at you with no tools required. You will not be able to read them but you can tell they are there. From there you're gonna need the dental mirror and a light most likely. The mirrors are cheap at the local hardware store. The absence of the numbers does not confirm the rib is not Parker.

[Randy G Roberts]

I think my DHE 20 and the VHE 20 skeet have the entire serial number engraved on the bottom of the rib.

Never heard that one before Rich, interesting. Never say never, eh !

[Patrick Lien]

Look at the dolls head. If flat then it was made for vent rib frame which is not dished out like non vent rib guns are. Also the ramp may or may not have the V cut depending how late the gun is. Here is a sample.

PML

[Dean Romig]

Also, on a Parker made for a ventilated rib the top of the frame at the breech will be flat across.

Parker Pages published an article with pictures that explains this. It was written by Dave Suponski.




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[Eric Eis]

Go outside on a good sunny day and the numbers under the rib will sometimes jump out at you with no tools required. You will not be able to read them but you can tell they are there. From there you're gonna need the dental mirror and a light most likely. The mirrors are cheap at the local hardware store. The absence of the numbers does not confirm the rib is not Parker.

Randy, is right sometimes there is no number on the underside of the rib, I had a mint DHE high comb stock with a vent rib and it lettered as such but no number under the rib.

[Paul D Narlesky]

I think that was I who first posted about my finding the stock to that #gun. Many years later I actually located the barrel set and fore end. It was for sale for 3500. I am not crazy about vent ribs so I passed, the vent rib was described as excellent work but not factory.(BTW the owner of the barrel set is very good about Parker knowledge) The main frame and trigger guard are still "gone to the wind". They have not been located that I know about but maybe then, they have. I seriously considered the barrel set but then we would have a job locating a coveted Remington period frame. Then we would own a very nice pile of parts, some matching numbers some not. At this point a trusted and very skilled gunsmith would be hired to fit the gun together... I chose not to take that road and would rather take a similar sum of money and purchase a nice shootable D grade 20 gauge not perfect but not a beater either. Best of luck Paul
Ps. Someone can bring that thread up use the serial #237,731 I think.

[Mike Franzen]

Hey Paul I read your original post about finding the stock at an estate sale. Do you still have it? Do you remember the name of the man who offered you the barrels?