Parker Barrel Modified?

[Richard McWilliams]

I acquired a GH Parker Ser NO 90324 from 1899. I received the Parker letter indicating it originally had a Damascus barrel. Its current barrel seems odd to me and I wanted to reach out to see if anyone can tell me what I have. The chamber portion of the barrels appears to be Damascus but there is a blued line at the end of the chamber and the rest of the barrel appears to be simply blued steel. Was this modified at some point by Parker or someone else? The Barrel is serial number matching to the receiver. Also, the barrel rib only says "PARKER BROS. MAKERS. MERIDEN CT. U.S.A." and nothing else, which I have not seen before as all the others I have seen have the type of steel stamped at the end. Any idea what I have here? I'm attaching some photos. Thank you, Richard.

[charlie cleveland]

it appears your barrels have been sleeved...charlie

[Richard McWilliams]

Thanks, Charlie. What does sleeved mean? I confess I am new to Parker Shotguns. Most of my collecting has focused on antique military firearms and I'm familiar with the installation of rifled sleeves into bored out surplus Civil War rifles after the war, which were brazed to the original barrel. Is that similar to what happened with this barrel and, if so, was this something done at Parker Bros or by a gunsmith somewhere else?

[Reggie Bishop]

The rib and stamping is not Parker factory work.

[Rick Losey]

Thanks, Charlie. What does sleeved mean? I confess I am new to Parker Shotguns. Most of my collecting has focused on antique military firearms and I'm familiar with the installation of rifled sleeves into bored out surplus Civil War rifles after the war, which were brazed to the original barrel. Is that similar to what happened with this barrel and, if so, was this something done at Parker Bros or by a gunsmith somewhere else?

sleeving - in simple terms - is removing the ribs and cutting the back of the barrels (chambers and a little) off - and replacing the removed tubes with new tubes that are "sleeved" into an oversized relief cut into the back mono block of the original barrels. then relaying the ribs to the restruck barrels

so - old outside of the chambers area - new barrels


http://www.heritageguns.co.uk/Photos/Sleeving/Bored%20&%20Cut%20Monoblock%20email.jpg


BTW - most of the time - as in almost always - the craftsman makes the joint as seamless as possible - often hiding it completely
i have not seen one that draws attention to it like this one

[Paul Ehlers]

xxx

[David Gehman]

The rib and stamping is not Parker factory work.

Stamping looks hand engraved.

[Dean Romig]

Stamping looks hand engraved.

...as is the poorly done matting.





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[Ted Hicks]

The engraving pattern on the chambers is that for a higher grade Parker.

[Steve Huffman]

The engraving pattern on the chambers is that for a higher grade Parker.

Serial Book has gun listed as a D2 12 gauge with 30 in. barrels . Does the serial number on barrels match the rest of the numbers ?

[Richard McWilliams]

Yes, the serial number on the barrel does match the receiver.

[Dean Romig]

That’s not surprising because the number is on the original “mono-block”.





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[Harold Lee Pickens]

I would be interested in seeing pictures of the whole gun. Looks like it would be a good shooter.

[Richard McWilliams]

Frankly, I'm now not sure how much of this shotgun is in its original configuration. The stock has a Pachmyr pad and there is a wood cap now on the pistol grip. Some of the screws appear to have been buggered with a bit. Here are some additional photos. Regards, Richard

[Richard McWilliams]

Here are a few more photos. Thanks to all for the opinions on this shotgun. Regards, Richard

[Richard McWilliams]

Sorry, didn't attach photos last time.

[Richard McWilliams]

A few more.

[Harold Lee Pickens]

Someone certainly put a lot of time and effort into that gun, what with the barrel resleeving, stock and fore end work, and case coloring. Have you shot it?
A purist may look the other way at guns that are not all original, but many would simply acknowledge the gun for what it is, and go about shooting it.

[Bill Murphy]

The gun has some, maybe many, interesting upgrades, but, overall, it is unacceptable as an example of a "good buy". Sorry for the many commas, but this gun deserves them.

[Steve Huffman]

Please forgive me Dean my eyes arnt what they used to be . Have a nice Day

[John Davis]

Whether or not it's a "good buy" depends on what you paid and what you bought it for (your intended purpose).