Rare???

[Donald F. Mills]

I am wondering if those who have seen more Parker Reproductions than I might care to share their thoughts on the rarity of a 28 gauge two barrel set where both barrels are 26” in length and one is mod/full. I haven’t seen a 26” mod/full barrel before or since. Of course rare doesn’t always mean desirable as I think a 28” set would be what most would look for. That being said the 26” set shoots just fine, at least for me.

[Bill Murphy]

If this set came from the factory this way, it is truly rare.

[Greg Baehman]

The term rare certainly applies in this case. We have, however; seen them before. In fact, there was a set listed on GI not too long ago. As I recall, that gun's original 2-bbl. set case barrel compartments were both 26" long -- not with one slot 28" long and having a 2" block filler.

[Donald F. Mills]

Bill, my belief is they are factory original as there is no indication of cut barrels and they retain .017 and .037 constrictions.

[Dave Noreen]

Both sets of barrels being the same length will likely go a long way towards ensuring the same handling with either set.

[allen newell]

Don, we lived in Oswego yrs ago as I worked at the college there. The bird hunting then was terrific and the fly fishing every bit as good

[Donald F. Mills]

Allen, Fishing is still good but I wish I had the time to do more of it. Bird hunting has been hit or miss. I have lived here a bit more than 10 years and haven’t found a good spot yet. Much of the good areas are posted. The waterfowl hunting looks to be good but I hunt mostly down in the finger lakes with my father. A few more years and retirement will be here and with it a lot of time to spend in the outdoors.
If you end up back in the area let me know and we can connect, talk Parkers and shoot some clays.

[Donald McQuade]

Don, I have what i think is another head scratcher Repo. I have a 20 gage with a 28 inch barrel choked Q1/Q2. From what I can tell the only way to get a 28 inch barrel choked Q1/Q2 was as part of a two-barrel set, with 26 inch and 28 inch barrels, both choked Q1/Q2. Now, why anyone would want a gun with 26 inch and 28 inch barrels, both choked the same, is beyond me. The gun came to me with only one barrel and in a single barrel Repo case. My guess is the original owner wanted the 28 inch Q1/Q2 setup, and ordered the two barrel set, then sold the 26 inch barrel to offset his cost. At any rate, I don't think there are a lot of 20 gaga 28inch barrels out there choked Q1/Q2. For me it is the perfect setup.

[Bill Murphy]

It is likely that the second set of barrels was 28" Mod and Full.

[Donald F. Mills]

I agree with Bill as they were likely a set of 28” m/f barrels. Keep an eye out on the guns international and gun broker as those repro orphan barrel sets show up from time to time. You might be able to put the two barrel set back together.

As for me I am looking for a 28” 12 ga repro set of m/f barrels to appear.

[Greg Baehman]

Don, I have what i think is another head scratcher Repo. I have a 20 gage with a 28 inch barrel choked Q1/Q2. From what I can tell the only way to get a 28 inch barrel choked Q1/Q2 was as part of a two-barrel set, with 26 inch and 28 inch barrels, both choked Q1/Q2. Now, why anyone would want a gun with 26 inch and 28 inch barrels, both choked the same, is beyond me. The gun came to me with only one barrel and in a single barrel Repo case. My guess is the original owner wanted the 28 inch Q1/Q2 setup, and ordered the two barrel set, then sold the 26 inch barrel to offset his cost. At any rate, I don't think there are a lot of 20 gaga 28inch barrels out there choked Q1/Q2. For me it is the perfect setup.
Don, you could take the guesswork out if you'd like to know if your gun was originally part of a 2-bbl. set by checking between the barrel lugs or on the bottom of the forend lug for the numbers 1 or 2 stamped. If no number, it is a single barrel set. Single 20ga. 28" Q1/Q2 guns do exist, I used to own one and so do several others.

Another rarity very seldom seen are 28ga. 28" Repros (single guns) factory choked Q1/Q2. Below are a couple of consecutive numbered such guns.

[Bill Murphy]

Wow. What a pair.

[Donald McQuade]

Bill, i finally pulled the gun out of the safe and checked between the barrel lugs, and there is a "1" stamped there. With that said, the serial number of the gun is 20-203492. If anyone out there has a set of barrels that match and are stamped "2" please let me know. Would be nice to recompose the set.

[Brett Souder]

The term rare certainly applies in this case. We have, however; seen them before. In fact, there was a set listed on GI not too long ago. As I recall, that gun's original 2-bbl. set case barrel compartments were both 26" long -- not with one slot 28" long and having a 2" block filler.

I would like to know if anyone has a two barrel case with both barrels 26" or has a photo of such a case to show me what the filler block would look like for the 28" slot. I can't imagine how a block would be fitted at the end of the case where the toe under storage is for a pistol grip gun would be in the way of the stock. I ask because I have such a set in 28 ga. and the case has a slot for both 28" and 26" barrels.
Thanks, Brett

[Brett Souder]

This is the set I have
-Brett

[Greg Baehman]

I would like to know if anyone has a two barrel case with both barrels 26" or has a photo of such a case to show me what the filler block would look like for the 28" slot. I can't imagine how a block would be fitted at the end of the case where the toe under storage is for a pistol grip gun would be in the way of the stock. I ask because I have such a set in 28 ga. and the case has a slot for both 28" and 26" barrels.
Thanks, Brett
Brett, you could make a filler block in the same fashion as Emmebi did with the mid-support blocks in the barrel compartments. Here's a couple of pics of a mid-support block, showing the design. I believe you could make up a similar design to act as a filler block that would allow for the toe of the stock to fit in.

[Brett Souder]

Greg, yes I could do that and it would need to be made taller to catch the barrels. I will need to source the same color felt. I have two different colors of green in two different cases. I would still like to see if a Parker Reproduction case was ever offered from the factory with this block in place or not. If anyone has one, please post a photo.
Thanks, Brett

[Greg Baehman]

William Larkin Moore currently lists on GI a cased 28ga, 2-bbl. set -- both bbl. sets are 26". Chances are is that they're in a 28" case, but the case is not shown. Perhaps you could give them a call and ask them to send you a pic or add the pic to the listing.
https://www.gunsinternational.com/guns-for-sale-online/shotguns/parker-shotguns-reproduction/parker-reproduction-28ga-dhe-two-barrel-set-26-q1-q2-26-ic-m-cased.cfm?gun_id=102863939

[Bill Murphy]

Regardless of the rarity of a 26" two barrel set, 28" barrels in a 28 gauge Repro sell for much more money than a 26" gun. Rarity doesn't always translate into a higher price.

[Brett Souder]

In the last two months on this site two orphaned 28 ga. barrel sets have sold. One a 26" Q1 and Q2 choked sold for $2,600.00 and the other a 28" mod and full sold for $1,200.00.
I would say that a 28" Q1/Q2 choked set will be more desirable than a 28" M/F set, but apparently 26" Q1/Q2 trumps 28" M/F.
I did send a request to William Larkin Moore for a photo of the two barrel case and waiting for a reply.
-Brett

[Brett Souder]

This is the 28 ga. Two 26” barrel set case that William Larkin Moore has listed for sale. I am going assume that Parker Reproduction did not make a filler block for the two barrel 26” sets since I have not seen one yet and no one has come forward with any picture of one they own with a block for the both barrels. I will make a block as mentioned and wrap it felt to keep the barrel from moving in its slot.
Thanks, Brett

[Donald F. Mills]

Brett,
I carefully removed the dolls head receiving block portion of the 28”barrel slot and then made and installed a spacer and then reinstalled the dolls head receiving block. I just need to find some felt that matches to finish it. This stopped the problem of the barrel sliding around and also allows the toe under to still work.

[Brett Souder]

That’s another great idea. I’ll try that.
Thanks, Brett