What do you make of?

[Frank Srebro]

What do our Parker experts make of the two 3's on the barrel flats of this 12g/32" VHE in the 208,000's serial number range? I don't have this Parker in hand as yet and thus haven't had a chance to measure its chambers.
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[Mike Franzen]

My guess is chamber length. If that’s the case you have a rare gun.

[Dave Noreen]

IMO more likely the chambers were lengthened after market and the gunsmith so doing marked the barrel flats.

The answer will be a letter from the PGCA.

[Frank Srebro]

Interesting that the 3’s in question look like the same font as the factory overscript 3 on the barrel weight stamp ……. ?

[Paul Ehlers]

Interesting that the 3’s in question look like the same font as the factory overscript 3 on the barrel weight stamp ……. ?

I agree, both 3's were made with the same stamp.

[Dave Noreen]

I inherited three sets of letter and number stamps from my father. Guess I could whang a number on a barrel flat (I'd actually be afraid to) or in the wood under a trigger guard.

[Dean Romig]

The 3 oz. stamp is obviously made with a smaller 3 die.
The left and right barrel flat 3’s were made with the same die.





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[Chuck Bishop]

You won't get any help from me, we don't have records for this gun.

[edgarspencer]

Who ever applied the 3 stamps could have gone the extra mile, or inch, and applied a " stamp, if it was intended to signify chamber length.

[Mike Franzen]

You’ll have to measure the chambers when you get the gun.

[Frank Srebro]

I inherited three sets of letter and number stamps from my father. Guess I could whang a number on a barrel flat (I'd actually be afraid to) or in the wood under a trigger guard.

I never proposed or alluded this was a 3-inch chambered Parker but have to say if the factory or someone “whanged” (two) number 3’s onto the barrel flats there had to be a good reason. I did receive this gun today but have misplaced my precision chamber gauge and may have to make up another one on the lathe. Yeah I know gents try to measure using with rolled up postcards, small machinist rulers and other improvised means but I’ll try first to do a better search or wait until I can make another gauge.

Meanwhile thanks all for your inputs.

[Brian Dudley]

The font is actually different and not to mention different size.

[edgarspencer]

Just a thought, but the bottom of the indentation 'appears' to be the same finish as the surrounding area, and the weight stamping.I've never stamped a cold rust blued surface, but I'm wondering if it would appear that the original finish is just forced inward, or would it appear 'brighter' ?