Proof Marks on a Parker

[John Davis]

These are the proof marks on the barrel flats of a GHE Parker. The gun was restocked and the barrels sleeved by I think Westley Richards in Birmingham, England. It has the definitive Birmingham nitro proof mark and I'm thinking the scripted WR indicates Westley Richards. Can anyone verify or negate that for me? Thanks, John

[David Noble]

I can't verify it, but I will say that is a reasonable assumption. I've seen that script W.R.
on Wesley Richards guns in the past.

[John Davis]

Thanks David. I'll continue with that assumption until some anglophile comes along and proves differently.

Next question, what does the 3 1/4 tons per square inch translate to in relation to shell/load pressures? I'm once again making an assumption that it's not 6500 psi.

[Drew Hause]

The gun was proved 1954-1989
The mark lower extreme left is the date code
http://www.hallowellco.com/birmingham_proof_house_date_code.htm

3 1/4 tons = 9,800 psi = 676 BAR service pressure

[Ken Hill]

John,

Are the barrels marked as sleeved? If the barrel were sleeved in England, either the barrel flats or the side of the barrel should be marked SLEEVED.

Ken

[John Davis]

Barrels were originally Damascus.

[John Davis]

So Drew, does that mean don't shoot anything over 9800 psi?

[John Davis]

The gun also has Briley thin chokes but they are the ones with about 2 1/2 inches of thread and Briley only makes those by special order these days.

[John Davis]

Parker GHE 105748

[JAMES HALL]

Trap doubles gun?

[John Davis]

Trap doubles gun?

You got it.

[Drew Hause]

John: The 1954 British Rules of Proof refers to that number as "Highest Mean Service Pressure"

The terminology and numbers changed when Great Britain adopted the Commission Internationale Permanente pour l'Epreuve des Armes à Feu Portatives transducer (no longer crusher) standards in 1989
The CIP transducer “Maximal Statistical Individual Pressure” is 850 BAR = 12,328 psi for a “Maximal Average (Service) Pressure” of 740 BAR = 10,733 psi.

[Dave Noreen]

Someone must have really liked a GHE Parker Bros. to spring for a W.R. sleeve job!! That must have cost a lot more than any 12-gauge GHE was worth at the time.

[John Davis]

Someone must have really liked a GHE Parker Bros. to spring for a W.R. sleeve job!! That must have cost a lot more than any 12-gauge GHE was worth at the time.

My thoughts exactly. And a restock to boot. That had to cost more than any 12 gauge GHE is worth today.