Info Request Parker 20 ga GH Damascus bbl

[Don Strelioff]

barrel flat D4. Barrel weight 3.2 on the other side J.G. inside a circle actually more of a oval
Dom 1919 26” bbl 2 1/2” Cham o frame GH
Chokes full and possibly imp mod
What would be production numbers for this configuration
When did Parker cease production of Damascus guns
Curious about shooting smokeless loads low pressure 2.5” likely hand load

Condition of gun is excellent bores are
Bright all screws are unmolested . Many questions from a novice

[Dean Romig]

If it’s as nice as you say, don’t lengthen the chambers - you’ll decrease its value by doing so.
Just shoot RST shells or 2 1/2” shells of another name - they’re readily available... or load your own.

1919 is very late in Damascus barrelled Parkers, but not the latest.



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[Jay Gardner]

Under no circumstances should you lengthen the chambers. There are plenty of options for short low pressure loads suitable for the the gun, as is.

[Reggie Bishop]

Post up some pics! We like pics! And I would echo what the others have said, please do NOT lengthen the chambers!

[Eric Eis]

Send in for a letter, it might tell you some interesting facts about the gun. It's cheaper to become a member of the PGCA and get the letter then a non-member, plus you get the Parker Pages quarterly and be able to see the members only forums which include Buy and Sell ads

[Don Strelioff]

Thanks guys it is very nice that is what prompted me to buy it I was really looking for a non Damascus gun but came across this one I will not lengthen the chambers as far as the whole Damascus thing I’m not going to get to involved in that conversation /safety / strength/ lever sits well to the right no dents no corrosion. A very rare find in Saskatoon Canada . The only issue is finding the correct ammo in this country is not that easy . Thanks for your input

[edgarspencer]

Damascus 20 gauge guns are fairly scarce, and in unmolested original condition, even more so. You're a fortunate man to find a good one.
A friend sent me a lovely straight stocked GH20, but the horrendous pitting in the bores, in the critical high pressure areas, scared me off. I heard that a well known shop bought it and deemed it safe

[Don Strelioff]

As mentioned I was absolutely amazed at the condition of the over all gun bores are brite not even a trace of pitting or even discolouration. If it showed any issues what so ever I would have passed on it

[Drew Hause]

The latest hammerless damascus barrels are SN 220,657 GH D3 1927, SN 222,845 DHE D4 1927, and SN 227,020 VHE D3 1928. I don't know the gauges though and maybe someone would kindly check the book.

Don: the case colors should be as bright as the bores. If the colors are faded or worn, the barrels may have been honed.

[Mills Morrison]

Welcome Don! Please post some pictures when you can. Sounds like a very nice gun. I have a GH 20 Damascus, but mine is much earlier.

You should join PGCA as well

[Randy G Roberts]

The latest hammerless damascus barrels are SN 220,657 GH D3 1927, SN 222,845 DHE D4 1927, and SN 227,020 VHE D3 1928. I don't know the gauges though and maybe someone would kindly check the book.

Don: the case colors should be as bright as the bores. If the colors are faded or worn, the barrels may have been honed.

220657 - Not in the book
222845 - 12 ga
227020 - 12 ga

[Don Strelioff]

The case color is not as brite the bores have not been honed reason I say this is I know the history of the gun . No dents in bbl’s no burred screws original butt plate original pistol grip cap . A bit of history on me I have been in the firearms business since 1977 retail and gunsmithing rifle building , hot caustic bluing I’m only saying this to state that I’ not a novice when it comes to noticing alterations on firearms.
Not that I know it all I certainly may miss something as far as work done to a firearm

[Dave Noreen]

There were 145 Grade 2 hammerless 20-gauge guns made with 26-inch Damascus barrels.

[Garth Gustafson]

Welcome Don, that sounds like a nice one. We feel your pain with the lack of available 2-1/2" low pressure shells up north. A lot of us shoot RST shells in our vintage guns and RST won't ship to Canada. Hopefully handloading is an option for you.

Another option would be to join the PGCA so you can sell or trade your gun here for another Parker with 2-3/4" chamber fluid steel barrels and then you can shoot commercially available target and light game loads in that gun.

[Don Strelioff]

I should clarify brite . No frosting no discolouration the bores have a shine to them but certainly not like new chrome type shine

[Don Strelioff]

Welcome Don, that sounds like a nice one. We feel your pain with the lack of available 2-1/2" low pressure shells up north. A lot of us shoot RST shells in our vintage guns and RST won't ship to Canada. Hopefully handloading is an option for you.

Another option would be to join the PGCA so you can sell or trade your gun here for another Parker with 2-3/4" chamber fluid steel barrels and then you can shoot commercially available target and light game loads in that gun.

Yes we don’t have as many options up in the great white north also shotguns are not looked upon with the same admiration in this country as they are in the us . That being said there is a small shotgun community and all water seems to find its own level

[Don Strelioff]

There were 145 Grade 2 hammerless 20-gauge guns made with 26-inch Damascus barrels.

Thanks for the info likely the only one in Canada

[Dave Noreen]

Probably the nicest 2 1/2 inch 20-gauge shells I've ever used were the British Lyalvales. Perhaps being part of "the Empire" you can get them in Canada.

[edgarspencer]

Don: the case colors should be as bright as the bores. If the colors are faded or worn, the barrels may have been honed.

"may" being the catch word. A well loved gun gets wiped down whenever it's used, accelerating the loss of case colors, but a well loved gun that also gets it's bore mopped whenever it's used usually has a nice shiny bore.

[Don Strelioff]

"may" being the catch word. A well loved gun gets wiped down whenever it's used, accelerating the loss of case colors, but a well loved gun that also gets it's bore mopped whenever it's used usually has a nice shiny bore.

Yes I would have to agree with you on all accounts . That’s how I look after my guns . I have s 1948 model 12 trap that I shot gor 25 yrs likely 300,000 rounds not much bluing on the reciver but the rest of the gun looks very nice

[Joe Dreisch]

Westley Richards was selling 2 1/2" Lyalvales under the WR name years ago. You may check with them. They are wonderful performers on game birds.

[John Dallas]

300,000,000?

[Dean Romig]

300,000,000?

No, there’s a decimal point there, not a comma.




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[John Dallas]

You're right. Still something over 11 boxes of shells/week for 25 years. Yikes!

[edgarspencer]

That's only 40 rounds of trap per month. Only,Ha Ha

[Don Strelioff]

Oops 300,000 practice 3 days a week plus tournaments from about 1973 - 1997 ish . Oh to be young again . Back to the 20ga I found a retailer in Alberta that stocks rst ammo ordered 1 case of 7/8 oz no 5 and one of 7/8 oz no. 6

[Dean Romig]

What birds do you shoot with #5 and #6 in a 20 gauge?





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[Don Strelioff]

No 6 ruffed grouse, Hungarian partridge, barn yard piegen, sharptailed grouse no 5

[Don Strelioff]

That's only 40 rounds of trap per month. Only,Ha Ha

That’s about right we would shoot Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday 4 rounds a day average 12x 4 = 48 plus tournaments . Now trap shooting is non existent for the most part in Canada . Lucky to get 8-12 shooters out on a Sunday back in the day 20-40

[Don Strelioff]

Went out with the little Parker today found some barn yard pigeons oh my what a sweet handling little gun . Looking forward to upland season .

[Bill Zachow]

The 220,657 is an as new 12 gauge with 30 “ barrels on a 1 1/2 frame. I own it and it is one of the few Parkers that I kept.

[Harold Lee Pickens]

Don, if you reload 20's, many of us shoot 2 3/4" shells, but reload them with low pressure, mild velocity 3/4 and 7/8 oz loads at less than 1200 fps. For example a RST 20 is 2.550", a Win AA is 2.646"--that's less than a tenth of an inch difference. I shoot these loads in Damascus 20's and fluid steel.
1. Win AA or Rem 20, 3/4 oz load ,20/28 14.5 gr, Claybuster 1075--1200fps @7200psi
2. Win AA or Rem 20, 7/8 oz load, 20/28 15.5 gr, Claybuster 1078--1250 fps @7900psi
or if you have or make 2 1/2" cheddite hulls, ie, RST
3. Cheddite 2 1/2', 20/28 14.3 gr, Claybuster 1075, 3/4 oz load, 1200fps @7200 psi
4. Cheddite 2 1/2", Unique 16 gr, Claybuster 1078 or 1075, 7/8 oz, 1185fps @ 7200psi.
These are all very low pressure for 20 ga. I use Win 209 primers in all but would also sub Cheddite primers. I also hunt grouse and woodcock, even pheasant with these loads. Love the mild recoil when shooting clay targets.
Love to see pictures of your gun.

[Dean Romig]

Great recipes Harold. I use a small variation to your #2 in that I use 2.75” AA shells with the Win 209 primer, Win Double A wads and 7/8 oz. #8 pushed by 14 grains of 20/28. A very nice load that is easy on the gun and the shoulder but hard on clays and feathered targets.

The 2.75” AA shells actually measure 2 5/8” when fired so there is no problem at all using them in 2 1/2” chambered guns.



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[Harold Lee Pickens]

I have also used this Green Dot load, a soft shooter, but a little higher PSI

Win AA or Rem, 13.8 gr Green Dot, CB 1075, 3/4 oz 1200 fps @9900 psi

[Don Strelioff]

Thanks guys awesome load data I don’t have a 20 ga press at the moment I should be able to find a mec 600jr or 700 versa mec . Used . I will try and gets some pics up I certainly would like to show this one off .

[Dean Romig]

And we would really like to see it.





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[Bill Murphy]

Don, anyone looking for a slow press should be looking for a Ponsness Warren 375. It is the strongest, most versatile single stage press out there. It not only never wears out, it will take any gauge or shell length, you name it. I have loaded on mine for sixty years and I am still finding more uses for it.

[Don Strelioff]

Don, anyone looking for a slow press should be looking for a Ponsness Warren 375. It is the strongest, most versatile single stage press out there. It not only never wears out, it will take any gauge or shell length, you name it. I have loaded on mine for sixty years and I am still finding more uses for it.

Thanks I will keep a eye out for one of those as well

[James L. Martin]

I have used Mec reloaders for 50 plus years and still do but about 7 years ago a friend was getting out of reloading and gave me a old Ponsness Warren 375 with 12ga & 20ga dies .What a great machine, it has become my 20ga reloader. I like Mec but a PW is so much nicer.

[Milton C Starr]

Don, anyone looking for a slow press should be looking for a Ponsness Warren 375. It is the strongest, most versatile single stage press out there. It not only never wears out, it will take any gauge or shell length, you name it. I have loaded on mine for sixty years and I am still finding more uses for it.

This loader ?
https://www.reloaders.com/products/duomatic-375-12ga-or-20ga

[James L. Martin]

Yes that's it.

[Don Strelioff]

I have a 700 versa mec that is likely 50 + yrs old I load Bismuth on it mostly these day but it loaded 1000’s of rounds back in the day for trap shooting it was great just to slow then a bought a pacific 366 it worked for me for likely a couple of decades many fellow shooters used a ponsness 800 I believe was the model nice press the pacific at the time was substantially cheaper . All that being said here in Canada it will likely be easier to find a mec . I will not load many rounds but I do like home recipes. I load lower psi loads for my 12 ga Parker With bismuth and lead I also have a few model 12’s that I enjoy hunting with . Thanks guys

[Don Strelioff]

I have a chance to buy a used mec size master 150$ I never have used this model looks basically like a 600 with a collet type resizing apparatus. Should be fine ?

[Mark Garrett]

I have a chance to buy a used mec size master 150$ I never have used this model looks basically like a 600 with a collet type resizing apparatus. Should be fine ?

Great single stage machine.