Cut Barrels?

[Thomas Baumgardner]

I have not physically inspected these barrel but from the pictures, do the barrels appear to be cut? The Serialization Book says 30 inch barrels and the gun, a 20 gauge DHE, also letters with 30 inch barrels. The seller, who is not familiar with shotguns says the barrels measure 26 inches and can not measure chokes. Any Opinions? Thanks for the help.

[Brian Dudley]

They sure look cut. And whoever cut them knew what to try and do to make them look uncut. They did not do that good of a job.

[charlie cleveland]

look cut to me also ...brian has a good eye I respect his judgement on parkers....and most anykind of gun...charlie

[Kevin McCormack]

Run away - fast!

[Jim DiSpagno]

Definitely cut like Brian said. Tried to make them look uncut. Like trying to hide a circumcision

[Craig Budgeon]

Hardware stores should be more discriminating who they sell hacksaw blades too.

[Kirk Potter]

I guess it all depends on how much $$$.. I'd take a cut barrel 20 gauge DHE.. For the right price.

[Randy G Roberts]

I guess it all depends on how much $$$.. I'd take a cut barrel 20 gauge DHE.. For the right price.

Good point. At the right price it might be a good close range upland sorta bird gun for someone in need of such a gun.

[edgarspencer]

They weren't bobbed 2" either. 30" barrels cut to 28" will still, in most cases, be touching.
I agree that some cut guns, at the right price, are worth a second look. I bought a high condition 20ga DHE from Cabelas that were cut from 30" to 24" and they are really good for early season grouse. I've since found, and added a pair of 26" and 30" original barrels, and it wasn't a money pit because I paid so little for the gun to start with.

[Harold Lee Pickens]

I would use that as a bargaining chip--and hey if you want some longer barrels, I believe Dean has a set of DHE 20 28" he's selling.

[Thomas Baumgardner]

Thanks to all for the response to the cut barrels. I had already paid for the shotgun prior to receiving the Research Letter which prompted me to ask for additional pictures. The shotgun has not been shipped yet, so I notified the seller that I was canceling the sale. I believed I would have noticed the cut barrels during my 3 day inspection. This shows how important the Research Letter and Serialization Book can be when looking at a Parker shotgun.

[allen newell]

Thomas, what was the seller asking for this ?

[Thomas Baumgardner]

Originally $5,495.00. I offered $5000.00 which they accepted. If anyone is interested, the gun was on Guns International, #101454397, The Bullet Hole, Overland Park, KS. 913-432-0050. I sent them email yesterday evening rejecting the sale because of the cut barrels. I plan to follow up with a phone call to them today.

[Jim DiSpagno]

Thomas, sorry but pricepoint was way too high because of Barrels. Get out fast at that price. Just my humble opinion

[Thomas Baumgardner]

Jim,
I am getting out and My offer was made before I saw pictures of the barrels and, with the help from members like you, determined the barrels were cut. Some members may be interested in the gun with cut barrels and can make an informed offer if they want. Me, I have no interest in cut barrels.

[Jim DiSpagno]

Good for you Thomas. And good luck with your search

[Milton C Starr]

Jim,
I am getting out and My offer was made before I saw pictures of the barrels and, with the help from members like you, determined the barrels were cut. Some members may be interested in the gun with cut barrels and can make an informed offer if they want. Me, I have no interest in cut barrels.

I was in a similar situation last year , I was looking at a Parkers Pugs had it was a 8 gauge with 30" barrels which I thought was odd . I sent the serial number to a PGCA member and he checked it for me . Apparently at some point someone lopped 4" off the barrels which wasnt mentioned in the ad .

I wouldnt have had a problem with that if the price reflected that it was missing a couple inches of barrel haha .

[Keith Doty]

Thomas, I think you've dodged a bullet! I'm no expert, definitely defer to some of these quite knowledgeable gents, but those SURE LOOK suspicious. Wide gap between the barrels and that lump of solder on the left one at the end of the rib? End flat on the rib appears a bit crooked and funny? Doesn't match the "book". RUN is the best advice. Best of luck with your search.

[edgarspencer]

I can't help but get the feeling there is a divide between people who buy only those pieces that absolutely match the original configuration, and those people who recognize the usefulness of those pieces that no longer match their birth certificate. A lot of it boils down to how we intend to use, or not use the pieces we buy.
There is a more than inconsequential number of guns out there, that have been altered by the guy who wanted a Parker, but the one he found didn't quite fit the bill for the HUNTING he did.
Obviously, the man who wanted a Trap gun didn't go buy a skeet gun an up-choke it, but there were a lot of upland hunters, back when there were a lot of upland birds, who found a rooster gun he liked, which was a tad to long, or tight for the woods.
If you want something that meets the letter in every regard, by all means, seek and you might find. But don't disparage some lovely piece because it isn't up to your standards, because a lot of these red-headed-stepchildren can still bring home the bacon, or King of the forest. Forget the bacon part, unless, of coarse, you're also hunting feral pigs.

[Keith Doty]

Wise and true words Edger. I certainly have guns that will not match a letter, bought because I liked them and they fit my purpose. But, as someone pointed out, the money has to match the gun. I certainly don't want to pay collector's premium for a gun that's not.

[edgarspencer]

Very true, Keith. However, $5k is a long way from what a “collector” grade 3 twenty gauge will command. I paid well almost half what Thomas offered, but two things worked in my favor; I was buying from a brand new Cabelas, whose gun library manager ( how do I say this politely?) was not up on these ‘ antiques’, and I’m frugal (as in Scottish frugal). In the end, I now have that cut gun, a well fitted set of original length 26” , and a well fitted 30” set which is what the gun was originally.
Which gun draws more attention? A cut high condition gun, or an original gun with no remaining case colors, worn bluing, and less than appealing wood? Therein lies the angst

[Keith Doty]

Very true on the 5K. In answer to the question "Which gun draws the most attention" just let me say I'm in the painful process of having a CH sleeved ( had bad pitting and an MWT under .017 not to the bottom of any pits). But, I bought it right and it's just a very nice gun, worth returning to shooting condition. Guess it probably won't be a letter gun when I swing it over my Smoker dog (AKA Smokey) this November, doubt she'll care. I wont!

[Mark Ray]

The barrels also look hot blued to me.

[Thomas Baumgardner]

Well guys, after some consideration, I offered $2,000 for the 20 gauge DHE with cut barrels, after withdrawing my original offer, and the seller took it. Not a collector, but skeleton butt plate, original but refinished stock, Miller trigger and after market beavertail forearm. No case colors. Who knows, once I get to pattern the cut barrels it may not be so bad. I feel I got a good deal. What do you think? Did I do OK? Much better than $5,000.

[Jim DiSpagno]

Listen, if it patterns to your likings d it fits you and you shoot it well then ok you got a deal if not at that price, pass it on down the road and you won’t get hurt. Nothing ventured, nothing gained. Good luck and please keep us informed

[Milton C Starr]

Well guys, after some consideration, I offered $2,000 for the 20 gauge DHE with cut barrels, after withdrawing my original offer, and the seller took it. Not a collector, but skeleton butt plate, original but refinished stock, Miller trigger and after market beavertail forearm. No case colors. Who knows, once I get to pattern the cut barrels it may not be so bad. I feel I got a good deal. What do you think? Did I do OK? Much better than $5,000.

I think if it puts a Parkers you really wanted in your hands you normally couldnt spend the $ then its a good deal .

[allen newell]

Well said Keith

[Craig Budgeon]

Thomas, lets hope your purchase exceeds your expectations, then you will have made a super bargain.

[Keith Doty]

Thomas, I hope you get the gun in, find it to your liking, and it patterns well for your needs. Edgar's right, if you like it, shoot it. If you decide it's just not to your liking, you aren't in so deep you can't get out, or you may decide (like myself and others)that while it's not ever going to be a perfect "letter" gun, it's just a personal treasure and worth spending some money adding a barrel set or some other work. Enjoy and good shooting!

[Thomas Baumgardner]

Follow up report on My 20 gauge DHE with cut barrels. I used 1oz 71/2 shot at 40 yards and the right barrel patterned shy of 40% and the left pattered at just under 45%. When I shot at 25 yards, obvious improvement with right barrel pattering at close to Skeet and the left barrel Improved Cylinder. I am very pleased with the results. Also noticed a Remington Repair Code PNN3 and a weep hole in front of the barrel lug. There is no reference to any repairs in my Research Letter, could the repair code be for reblued barrels? Just a thought. Tom

[Brian Dudley]

The repair code could be for any service done at the factory. Re-blue included.

[Keith Doty]

Thomas, that's great. Might not be the gun for pass shooting late season mallards but a VERY nice gun for a bit of quail hunting (we're short on grouse and woodcock here). As you shoot it more I think the pedigree will matter much less than the performance, and at $2K invested I'm sure there are several of us that would be glad to help you "get out" if you feel the need! Do your best to wear it out, that's what it was built for.

[Keith Doty]

Any chance for some more pics? Personally I'd love to see the entire gun.

[Thomas Baumgardner]

Some photos of DHE.

[Keith Doty]

Very nice!