Parker PH Cape Gun.

[Brian Dudley]

Take a look at this PH on GB.

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=261972334

That is neat and different.
In very good shape despite the modifications.

[Mike Wilkerson]

I wonder if the barrel was reamed out for the tube to fit? If it wasn't then it could be a good chance to get an 0 frame 16ga for hunting. I wonder what it will go for?

[Dave Noreen]

For many years Remington Arms Co. offered these auxiliary rifle barrels vor break open shotguns --

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v316/Ansleyone/Remington/AuxiliaryRifleBarrel1901Catalogue.jpg

Many years ago there was a real Parker Bros. hammer "cape gun" displayed at the Buffalo Bill Historical Center in Cody, Wyoming, that as I recall was made for some Army General.

[Brian Dudley]

Appears to be a Briley TYPE setup where it is just an insert. It is on my watch list for sure.

[Dave Suponski]

Very cool set up and the gun looks to be in decent enough condition.

Dave,Do you think this one of the Remington rifle inserts that you pictured?

[Dave Noreen]

It could be a Remington insert, they are certainly very similar to that. Up through the 1902 Remington Arms Co. catalogue the Auxiliary Rifle Barrels are only offered in 30- and 32-inch lengths. Beginning in the 1903-04 catalogue they are also offered in 28-inch lengths. I don't find them offered at all in the 1906 and later Remington Arms Co. catalogues.

The indexing tab on the rim of the insert is in the same place as the one shown In Charles Semmer's book, Remington Double Shotguns, page 97. However, in Charles' book the insert is shown in the right barrel of a gun which had me confused for a bit!!!

[Steve Huffman]

Has me thinking about my CH I have with sights

[Dave Suponski]

Dave, Thanks for the knowledge. I will take a look in my copy of Semmer's book. Any guesses on the "B&M" stamped on the insert? I would think the four digit number would be the serial number of the tube. The rest of the markings are pretty straight forward.

[Rick Losey]

Has me thinking about my CH I have with sights

and the recent thread about the Parker with the holes in the rib, this sight is mounted just a little forward of those.

[George Lander]

Brian: As an aside I have a Philadelphia Fox Sterlingworth 12 gauge x 45/70/401. It does not have inserts. It appears to have been made that way.

Best Regards, George

[Robert Delk]

B&M..maybe,Belding & Mull altho" I have never seen that they offered inserts they certainly were capable of producing them.

[Dennis V. Nix]

Could the B and M have anything to do with the old Belding and Mull company though my recollection is they made bullet molds. I am not home so can't check references.

[Robert Delk]

They're still in business and did a lot of machine work over the years. My grandfather had them do work back in the '20's.

[charlie cleveland]

looks like the little gun gona bring a nice price... charlie

[Dave Noreen]

The B & M likely means Ballard and Marlin which would tend to indicate the black powder with lead or paper patched lead bullet loading for the .32-40 as opposed to the smokeless powder with jacketed bullet Winchester high velocity load.

[Dave Suponski]

Thanks Dave. Is the Marlin name any relation to the Marlin Firearms we know?

[Dave Noreen]

Yes. John M. Marlin manufactured the Ballard rifles from 1875 into the 1890s. In Col. Brophy's Marlin book there is pictured at the bottom of page 130 of an ad for Ballard Target rifles made by the Marlin Fire Arms Co., New Haven, Conn. and the .32-40 cartridge shown is annotated ".32-40 Ballard & Marlin." Marlin manufactured their Model 1893 rifles in .32-40 and .38-55 with two different types of barrels, ones marked "For Black Powder" and ones marked "Special Smokeless Steel."

Apparently Marlin played rather fast and loose with whether it was Fire Arms or Firearms in their name stamps on their guns.

[Dave Suponski]

Well Dave, You have amazed me once again. I would put my money on Ballard/Marlin as the maker of these inserts. Also their close proximity to Meriden had to play into the relationship. Thanks for the research.

[Michael Murphy]

T'aint seen one of those before.
Makes one wonder if someone in the distant past took it to the next step and set up both barrels this way for use as a Double Rifle.

[Thomas L. Benson Sr.]

The auctions is almost over and it is probably going to bring 2000.00 I'm just guessing

[Thomas L. Benson Sr.]

1444.00 what do you think.Was it someone on the forum Thomas

[Bill Murphy]

My bid was four dollars short. I thought I bid enough, but was "wrong again". I would be glad to relieve the new owner of his new gun.

[Richard Flanders]

I think someone did OK on that one.

[Bill Murphy]

Who bought the PH 16 with the rifle insert?

[edgarspencer]

I have had, and still do, alot of Bellding & Mulll stuff. Everytime I found something new, I'd say to myself "Huh, I never knew they made that" Now I don't say it anymore. They were known to try stuff out before full production, and the stamping looks hand done, as opposed to later line stamping. The knurled retainer looks like it could be them too.
The Marlin-Ballard info is true re PP bullets, but, again, not sure it means that either, as I have had both makers, as well as Remington rifles without reference to chamber differences. I have a Harry Pope 32-40 barrel waiting for the right action. It simply says 32-40. I'd rather get onto my Sharps Old Reliable project, so if anyone wants the Pope barrel, let me know.
I have had inserts, including a pair of Colts, made for a 30" 12ga. in .38WCF.

It's too bad they drilled the rib for those sights. The gun might have realized more had that not been done.
If Nurse Ratchet lets me out of bed, I'll down down and look at some Belding & Mull data I've accumulated

[edgarspencer]

They're still in business and did a lot of machine work over the years. My grandfather had them do work back in the '20's.
That "Outdoorsman's Haven" is the same Belding & Mull, but maybe in name only, and I'm not so sure they even obtained the name directly, or just picked it up. The Manufacturing Co, Belding & Mull went out of business a long time ago.
I snuck down while the nurse wasn't watching (my wife) and took these pictures.
Belding & Mull were known for very high tolerance work. Here's a rear sight on a G&H Springfield action. Note the stamping and how close it is to the stamping on the rifled sleeve.

[Richard Flanders]

That is impressive Edgar. I can just imagine the satisfaction had by the designer of that sight. Watch out for that nurse....

[edgarspencer]

Thanks Richard. It is a work of art.
I'm keeping my head down, She takes her job seriously.