Another Frame Size Question

[Jay Oliver]

I was hoping someone could help me figure out the sizing of some orphan barrels I recently bought. They are 26” Twist 16 gauge “0” frame barrels serial# 74008 and are in nice shape. They are smaller narrower than the 2 “0” frame 20 gauge Parkers I have, serial numbers 114,xxx and 120,xxx.

Since these 16 gauge barrels are earlier, did earlier hammerless Parkers change the size of the “0” Frame over time? I posted some comparisons of these barrels and my 20 gauge GH barrels(it was hard to get good pictures holding the calipers and the camera, but I did my best). The narrower barrels are the 16 gauge twist barrels.

Would these barrels fit on an earlier gun?

Thank you,
Jay

[Brian Dudley]

0 frame is 0 frame. The outside measurement will vary from gun to gun. The spacing on chamber centers will be the same. 1”.

[Jay Oliver]

Here are the 16 gauge barrels first than the original barrels on my 20 GH serial number 114xxx. You can see how the 16 gauge barrels are slightly narrower…

[Andrew Clark]

Jay, As Brian mentioned a 0 frame is a 0 frame. The outside dimensions will vary considerably I have noticed as well. Throw a couple spent shells in the barrels and measure the pin spacing. It should be 1". Heck, I'll buy them from you for my 16 gauge 0 frame PH. serial numbers are real close, only a 1000 or so numbers off! :rotf:

[Harold Lee Pickens]

Those are a nice looking set of 16 ga barrels Jay.

[Dean Romig]

Each gun was machine made but hand filed and fitted. Also notice the doll’s head is a poor fit.





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[Jay Oliver]

Thanks everyone! This shows how you always learning with Parkers. I mistakenly thought the barrel width at the breach would also be the same across frame sizes. The few times I have tried different barrels they have been on lifters and I never noticed a difference in the barrel width at the breach.

I'll hang on to these and hopefully match them to a Parker someday :)

Edit: Hopefully, a PH 20 gauge with twist barrels I find at the Southern...

[Arthur Shaffer]

If I didn't have the two side by side, I would never have noticed the difference in width. Dean is correct that the doll's head is not a good fit.

If you look at the caliper pictures, I perceive that the caliper is not really close to the same location on the barrels. One is right at the face of th breech and the other is far enough forward that it appears to be slightly blocked from view by the breech face. If you click on each picture in turn, it is very clear how much difference there is in measurement point and how much the barrel tapers from one point to the other. I think that if you take care to remeasure at the same point there will be essentially no difference. The doll's head is the only issue I would consider.

[Jay Oliver]

It was hard to hold the calipers and take pictures at the same time. Art to your point, I should have measured both barrels the same and reported the measurements. However, the 16 gauge barrels are definitely narrower. On the two "0" frame 20s I put them on there was a slight ridge/step down from the bolsters to the 16 gauge barrels.

[Brian Dudley]

The outside dimension is, for sure, an indication of frame size, but the number will
not be the same from gun to gun. This, as well as the breech balls, is an area that will vary due to the nature hand finishing and getting a gun to its target weight/balance.

[Jay Oliver]

Thanks Brian, I wonder if they might fit on that "0" frame 28 gauge VH you are re-stocking for me? We'll have to check. That would be a neat combination...