New member, old gun

[Robert Deveer]

Have S/N 83226, was my fathers 1885 DH 30" Damascus. Barrel exterior was in tough shape. Since it will be a wall gun, I bit the bullet and had them worked on. Was hoping for better results.

Understand most of watertable markings. Frame size 2, Grade D / 3, 4lbs 3 oz. Do not know what the "C" or other "4" mean.

Would like to know history. Was it my grandfathers? Value?

[Rick Losey]

why is it a wall hanger?


there are surviving factory records for that serial number - order a letter and that should tell you when and where it was shipped - that might help with the "was it my grandfather's " question

if you become a member - you will save on the letter

[Robert Deveer]

Unfortunately, bad right shoulder won't allow for any more shooting. Will hang on wall unless someone makes a real good offer. I'd like to think it's worth $3k+, but realistically think around $2k.

[Dean Romig]

It appears that somebody ruined those barrels... why didn’t you come here first and get some experienced advice???

Too bad... too bad.





.

[Dean Romig]

but realistically think around $2k.

Not anymore my friend. The guy who you had work on the barrels took that away from you... and you probably paid him to do it....





.

[Harold Lee Pickens]

What in the hell did they do to the barrels--wondering if they could be redone--correctly

[Austin J Hawthorne Jr.]

I saw once where someone applied Naval Jelly to a pair of rusted barrels, and the result looked very similar to those.

[Harry Collins]

Robert,

Not all is lost. There are those of us who could make those barrels look new. I think it is wonderful that you have a family Parker and agree that a letter would tell you where the gun was shipped.As far as shooting the gun with a bad shoulder http://www.rstshells.com/store/p/106-12-Ga-2-1/2-Ultra-Lite-Vel-1125-3/4-oz-Load-Box.aspx I like the way you are displaying your Parker and hope you visit this site often.

Kindest,
Harry

[Robert Deveer]

[QUOTE=Harry Collins;310275]Robert,

Not all is lost. There are those of us who could make those barrels look new.

Thanks for the response. Where would one start to have the barrels done correctly? I live in SE Florida. The bores are like mirrors.

What ever the condition, I am proud to own a Parker. Will join and order letter.

Still do not know what the "C" or second "4" means.

Have ordered a box of light loads. Thanks

Rob

[Dean Romig]

Measuring the wall thickness of the barrels is PARAMOUNT in determining if any more money should be put into that gun. If the barrel walls are not of sufficient thickness to be safe to shoot, there is no reason to spend any more money on it.





.

[Dean Romig]

The C is the mark of a Parker Bros. worker. The 4 above the D (indicating Damascus) in the case of your barrels - represents the 'level' of the Damascus. There was 2-iron crolle, 3-iron crolle, 4-iron crolle, 5-iron crolle and 6-iron crolle... yours is obviously 4-iron crolle Damascus.

The other 4 is for the pre-struck weight of the unfinished barrels - in the case of your barrels, 4 lbs., 3 oz.





.

[Robert Deveer]

Measuring the wall thickness of the barrels is PARAMOUNT in determining if any more money should be put into that gun. If the barrel walls are not of sufficient thickness to be safe to shoot, there is no reason to spend any more money on it..

What is the minimum wall thickness suggested in determining if I should proceed? I think I have plenty to work with, no dents or flat spots and mirrors inside the bores.

[Dean Romig]

They may be fine but “mirror” bores on a gun that age with that much obvious use could be an indication of the bores having been honed and polished too much.

Different thicknesses at different places along the entire length of the tubes and as far around the circumference of the tube as possible should be measured.





.