Dolls head Barrel VS No Dolls head

[Gordon Lew]

In my search for a set of barrels for my DH 12 Ga I found a set from one of our members. The original had a real bad bulge just in front of both chambers. After sending them to Bachelder I was told they were not repairable. I spoke to Kerrington in Texas he said the same. The barrels arrived and I found out quickly not all 32" Damascus 1 frame barrels are alike. My original set has no dolls head or rib extension. I believe I'm calling this correctly, excuse my lack of terminology if I'm wrong. The set I just got has the dolls head. Can these be milled off and this set be used? I understand they will need to be fitted


https://i.imgur.com/1aMlJco.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/oCmS1ZF.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/GhQvRjq.jpg

[Rick Losey]

or get a replacement back part of the rib and save the dolls head if there is ever a reason to restore it to original condition

[Brian Dudley]

Easier said than done rick...


The gun was special ordered with no rib extension. Not very common.

A set of regular barrels with rib extension can be used. Just by removing the rib extension (cut it off).

[Rick Losey]

Easier said than done rick...


as I always used to say on work projects

"nothing is impossible for the man that doesn't have to do it himself"

:rolleyes:

[Gordon Lew]

I ordered a letter for the gun this evening. I do not know how special this gun is but every time I find out something else about it I hear "Thats a special order" lol Between it being a live pigeon gun, the weird front sight blades and now no dolls head being an oddity I would like to find out a little history on this gun.

[Brian Dudley]

Lack of a rib extension was a feature that was sometimes ordered by serious Competition Pigeon shooters.

[edgarspencer]

I wonder if the letter will explain why it has a GH buttstock on it.

[Gordon Lew]

I was under the impression it's a DH. Can you give me a quick tutorial on the difference?
Thanks

[Brian Dudley]

I am not sure if the stock is original. That checkering pattern is off. And there are no drop points that would be on a DH. Seeing more of the stock would confirm it for me as to what may be going on.

[ED J, MORGAN]

i have a DH with no rib extension.

[Robert Delk]

My co when I was in the reserves had a vh with no dolls head,no safety and the trigger guard tang was checkered(straight stock)

[Gordon Lew]

You can see some where in its past someone extended the stock

https://i.imgur.com/m1gqCyN.jpg

[Brian Dudley]

The stock wood itself looks like it may be original, but it has definitely been heavily reworked.

[Dean Romig]

I would expect to see European or Circassian walnut on a D grade, not American black walnut until the Remington/Illion years.





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[Brian Dudley]

I would expect to see European or Circassian walnut on a D grade, not American black walnut until the Remington/Illion years.





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That is circassian.

[Drew Hause]

Toward the end of 1901, Fred Gilbert received his new Parker DH SN 103649; no dolls head, no ejectors, 32” barrels; ordered by Russell Klein, Gilbert’s brother-in-law.

http://pic20.picturetrail.com:80/VOL1373/6511424/19974446/383200165.jpg

The Research Letter might be very interesting - please let us know who ordered the gun.

[Gordon Lew]

The letter is on the way. It states that it was purchased by a Rev. J Howard Hand of New Haven Ct on Sept 24 1894. It origianly had a straight stock with Monte Carlo special order with no safety, no barrel extension and Lyman sights. requested pattern RH 100 and LH 140 pellet. It's currently at the gunsmith having the barrels that I picked up fitted. It would be neat to find a DH straight stock with Monte Carlo and have it redone to original configuration. I bet finding that stock would be a tall order.

[Drew Hause]

No hits in the Sporting Life archives for the Rev.

[Gordon Lew]

Little update on the project. I got the gun back last week. The Smith I work with removed the dolls head from the donor barrels and tightened up the face. I came home and gave it a christening with a few rounds of mini shells. seemed to fire fine. When I removed the casings I inspected them and found the primer on the shells fired from the right barrel had the primer pierced by the firing pin. I'm thinking the right firing pin maybe protruding a little proud. Does anyone have any thoughts , suggestions or insite?
The donor barrels are currently in the white. I would like to get them re blackened. Any ideas of cost on this part of the project?

Thanks

[Jim DiSpagno]

Decent rust blue job anywhere from$350.00 to $500.00 on the high end

[Bill Murphy]

To possibly eliminate the primer piercing, try different brands of ammunition. Some primers are harder than others.

[edgarspencer]

Bill is right, and I have found my 16ga. hammer gun regularly pierces Cheddite primers.

[Dean Romig]

Ditto here.





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[Gordon Lew]

Glad to hear others having the same issue. I'll be searching for a smith that can put some finish on the barrels. Any suggestions on someone whose turn around is not 2-3 years. Thanks

[Dean Romig]

Breck Gorman did a wonderful job on my Bernard barrels recently - reasonable price and great turn around time.





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