20 ga. Barrel lengths

[Marc Wilczynski]

New member, just joined, I’ve performed a search but no answer found. Was recently gifted a dbl gun manf. date of 1926, Trojan. Barrels are only 22” long. Was this a factory option? Looking at muzzle ends looks like if not done from factory then someone did a pretty good job in modification. Currently have gun at gunsmith for light restoration/cleaning or I would provide photo. So, was this short of barrels even possible as stock?

Thanks in advance

[Randy G Roberts]

Hello Marc:

Anything is possible I suppose in the world of Parker but this would seem unlikely. If we had the serial number we could look in the serialization book for possible clues. With that # we could also see if factory research records were available on your gun which would be the tell all most likely. Do you have the serial # ? Also what type of barrel steel does the rib legend indicate ?

[Joseph Sheerin]

Sounds like someone needed a coach gun...

Pics of end of barrel by the bead will help.....

I thought Trojans came in 30", 28" and a few 26" guns only.... But, I am not expert and like was stated, anything is possible.

[Marc Wilczynski]

Barrel listed as Trojan. I think the sn is 218860. I was under the impression or did I misunderstand, that based on production date of 1926 that no records would be available. Once I get the gun back from the gunsmith I’ll post photo. I researched the stamping from info here and I had a problem decoding. But, as stated, once the gun is back in my hands, I’ll have photos. Looking forward to all the help from this great site.

[Joseph Sheerin]

218860 is a 12ga V grade with 30" barrels.....

Does it have capped pistol grip stock?

[Joseph Sheerin]

If the barrels are stamped Trojan steel, maybe not original barrels to the gun....

[Marc Wilczynski]

It’s a 20 ga, provided an from memory so obviously incorrect. As stated, when I pick this up later this week I’ll post photos and revisit. Thanks for all the response.

[Bruce Day]

Trojan 20 barrels were 26” standard length. Special order barrel lengths were 24-32. TPS contains a list of known 24” guns.

22” barrels are most likely chopped. You can tell by the rib matting termination.

[Bill Murphy]

As is usually the case, the poster did not post the correct serial number, causing a bit of confusion among those willing to help. Thanks for offering to post pictures. This may be an interesting gun.

[Marc Wilczynski]

OK, got the gun back this morning. Correct SN is 218869. Also included is pics of muzzle end and pic of all other markings. Top of barrel is marked Trojan steel and all components denote correct SN. Really curious as to what records show regarding barrels. My hunch is is has been modified.

[allen newell]

show us a picture of the barrels right side up. pic shown is underside of your barrels.

[Bruce Day]

Chopped.

[allen newell]

My take also Bruce. Still would like to see the top of the barrels.

[Marc Wilczynski]

Better pic. Curious what came from factory?

[Joseph Sheerin]

Definitely looks cut....

Did you get right ser#

[Marc Wilczynski]

Yes, 218869….posted earlier. Thanks in advance

[Joseph Sheerin]

Yes, 218869….posted earlier. Thanks in advance

218869 Originally a 20ga Trojan with 26" barrels.

You had originally posted 218860.... :D

[Marc Wilczynski]

Thanks to all. I appreciate all assistance. Looking forward to seeing how this patterns. If positive it will be going to the UP this Oct. for grouse camp

[Dean Romig]

The barrels may be chopped but the keels are in place.





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[Bruce Day]

The wedge shaped keels are cut back . The adjoining barrels do not touch.

TPS is the best reference work for anybody seeking to learn about Parkers. Barrel ends are fully explained and pictured within.

[Garry L Gordon]

I found later a Parker catalog that stated Trojans could have barrels custom ordered as to length. TPS verifies this. Those barrels look cut to me, however, but I do not have the expertise that others here do.

[Mills Morrison]

$50 says they were cut. If you like short barrels and the price is right, go for it.

[Randy G Roberts]

The unstruck barrel weight of 3-3 would be too heavy for a set of 20 gauge O frame 22" barrels in my opinion which would further support the fact that they have been cut. However your gun does have a Remington repair code on it. Maybe a prior owner wanted them cut back. Order a letter and maybe you will get lucky. We have seen some very strange things here over the years.

[Dean Romig]

Unfortunately there is nothing the PGCA has that will tell us what was done by Remington to a particular Parker that has a Remington service or repair code.





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[Harold Lee Pickens]

Thanks to all. I appreciate all assistance. Looking forward to seeing how this patterns. If positive it will be going to the UP this Oct. for grouse camp

It will be interesting to see how those 22" barrels swing, I would imagine that patterns should be open--not a bad thing for grouse and woodcock in the UP especially in early season.. I'll be there for at least 2 weeks this fall, my 37th year there, and I'll be carrying a VHE 20 with cut barrels at 26.5".

[Dave Noreen]

I found later a Parker catalog that stated Trojans could have barrels custom ordered as to length.

What catalog is that? From what I have, in the early years the barrel choices on the Trojan were 12-gauge 28- or 30-inch, 16- and 20-gauges 28-inch --

106779

By the 1923 catalog the choice of 26-inch barrels had been added to all three gauges. Though Remington added the extra cost options of a single selective trigger and a recoil pad, the stock dimensions and barrel length offerings remain very limited through the Trojans last appearance in Remington price lists --

106790

"Standard" borings were 30-inch full & full, while the 26- & 28-inch were modified & full. The catalogs state "Barrels will be bored as above unless otherwise ordered." Also, a line like "Positively no deviation will be made from above specifications."

[scott kittredge]

[

106790

"Standard" borings were 30-inch full & full, while the 26- & 28-inch were modified & full. The catalogs state "Barrels will be bored as above unless otherwise ordered." Also, a line like "Positively no deviation will be made from above specifications."[/QUOTE]

I have a 28 inch 12 ga choked .035 in both barrels so f/f

[Randy G Roberts]

With regards to the language in the PB catalogs of, "Positively no deviation will be made from above specifications", at some point they must have relaxed a little on that as TPS shows us there were at least 8 Trojan 12 gauge guns with barrels exceeding 30". How about a 36" Trojan 12 or a 30" 28 gauge ? I could live with either of those.

[Daryl Corona]

A Trojan 28 with 30" tubes. Now you have my attention. Didn't even know one existed.

[Joseph Sheerin]

A Trojan 28 with 30" tubes. Now you have my attention. Didn't even know one existed.

One of those 3 16ga 30" guns would make me happy as well... :D

[Dave Noreen]

Have any of these "odd" barrel length Trojans surfaced?

[Randy G Roberts]

A Trojan 28 with 30" tubes. Now you have my attention. Didn't even know one existed.

Oh Lord, I have given you something else to search for. I thought you already had the 30" market cornered for the little 28's :)

[Randy G Roberts]

Have any of these "odd" barrel length Trojans surfaced?

Not that I am aware of Dave.

[scott kittredge]

A 30 in. 20 ga has and its owned by one of our own last i knew.

[Dave Noreen]

A 30 in. 20 ga has and its owned by one of our own last i knew.

There is no 30-inch 20-gauge Trojan shown in the Trojan Production Statistics table on page 246 of The Parker Story. Does it letter?

[scott kittredge]

There is no 30-inch 20-gauge Trojan shown in the Trojan Production Statistics table on page 246 of The Parker Story. Does it letter?

I think yes sold in 1917 shipped to ca.

[Marc Wilczynski]

A sincere thank you again to all that have responded. I had no idea that my question would lead to all the intrigue and information that has followed. Obviously, this is the place to be for Parker enthusiasts.
I feel especially blessed to have been gifted this firearm by the previous owner and look forward to putting it back to use and promise to post a pic this fall from UP grouse camp. Gonna be hard to keep my Browning Cynergy cased but this old gun deserves at least one more hunt in honor of all previous owners.

[Daryl Corona]

Oh Lord, I have given you something else to search for. I thought you already had the 30" market cornered for the little 28's :)

Moi??? You aren't doing so bad yourself buckwheat.:)