Factory records

[Ryan Brege]

So, I just received my copy of Parker Pages. Cover to cover in one evening! One thing I had forgotten from previous issues was the part about the factory tags. This issue mentioned them but for the life of me I could not find the list in it.
I ask because while I can count on one hand the number of guns I have bought for myself off of Gunbroker I took a chance on the sellers less than average photography skills. The gun did not disappoint. It is a 1900 DH 12 Gauge. I believe that a lot of potential buyers were leery of the fact that the Serialization book is blank as is the search on this site.

Is there any other possibility of verification of the BBL length which I believe is the only thing in question? Perhaps the tags that are mentioned?

Thanks

Ryan

https://i.imgur.com/S2YegKP.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/2BBKquL.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/jDBptKv.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/KnfrRTz.jpg

[Garry L Gordon]

You could (should) consider posting pictures of the end of the barrels, including one that would show if the barrels touch and evidence of a keel, and another showing the top rib. Both can be helpful in determining if your barrels might be original length.

[Ryan Brege]

If you look really close at the first pic, you can see the ever so faintest of a line after the matting. This gun is untouched in all aspects and would be a no brainer if the matting abbreviated definitively.

https://i.imgur.com/f9dKoiH.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/C59BX7j.jpg

[Brian Dudley]

Those barrels sure look cut to me. Matting does not terminate and the end fill is not original and there are no keels. The bead does look original. What is the barrel length now? You never mentioned it. Does the gun balance?

The cards you mention would likely be the original hang tags that the PGCA has for members who own said guns that they have tags for.

A research letter can be had by anyone if there are records on the gun a letter is requested for.

[Steve Huffman]

what length are they now ?

[Garry L Gordon]

Do you have a way to measure the chokes? Parker chokes are generally pretty long. Obviously if they've been opened or cut, the barrels are not original. I agree with Bryan that from the picture you posted, they look to have been cut.

Original barrel length or not, that's a good looking Parker.

[Ryan Brege]

Barrels measure 27 7/8" I had MWT checked as well as the chokes. They do seem to be on the short side and come out at what he said that would be around I/C in both barrels. MWT is good so I am looking forward to patterning it.
Interestingly, both flats are marked with a +.

[Bruce Day]

Cut. I suspect these are original 30’s , especially if it is a 2 frame gun. Lots of these Damascus barreled GH’s were 2 frame 30’s , which are wonderful general purpose guns. Some people try to make a quail gun out of one by chopping the barrels.

[Ryan Brege]

Sorry, forgot to mention its a 1 1/2 frame. It was just interesting enough to take a chance on.

https://i.imgur.com/xvGAZsi.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/sYXrbCN.jpg

[Chuck Bishop]

Ryan, check your PM

[Brian Dudley]

At 27-7/8” they are cut for sure. Down from 30” likely.

A note on Parker chokes, they will be long (4-5” plus) if the chokes are tight. And shorter the more open the choke is. The choke reamers are tapered. And the more open the choke is means that the reamer when farther into the muzzle, so the taper will be shorter.

Here are some examples of Meriden Factory Parker choke reamers.

90390