"P" serial numbers

[timcornish]

I just got my new 16/20 repro. It is great (with real Kreighoff barrels) but I am puzzled: the serial number is P-448 rather than the usua "20 - XXX"l. What does this mean?

The 20 ga barrels are F&M 28 in incidentally and they balance way better than my 26 in gun (with 28 in 16 barrels)

Thanks and I will post pics when my camera battery is charged.

[Greg Baehman]

The "P" stood for Prototype. Here are a couple of previous threads discussing them:
http://parkerguns.org/forums/showthread.php?t=3468&highlight=Prototype
http://parkerguns.org/forums/showthread.php?t=7220&highlight=Prototype

[Bob Jurewicz]

Reading the threads above will definitely provide good info for theory on the Prototypes.
Mr. S stated they were not gifts, etc. as previously held and were " ordered and paid for".
I have always observed slight differences from standard specs in the P guns and believe them to be Special Order guns. My P 20/16 has a LOP of 14 15/16". Oh, almost forgot: it also has two 28" 16 G barrel sets.
Bob Jurewicz

[Dean Romig]

Oh, almost forgot: it also has two 28" 16 G barrel sets.
Bob Jurewicz

Wow - That must be #1 of 1.

[timcornish]

Thanks, gents! Theere appears to be a bit more hand engraving. The 16 ga barrels are 28 ic mod. Its a jewel and has had very little use. I guess for that reason I will keep my other well used set for the rougher feild use and take this when I am sitting by the dove tank in an arm chair.

[Bob Jurewicz]

Tim,
Could you post pics of that engraving? I would very much like to see and compare.
Bob Jurewicz

[timcornish]

Bob, here are few pictures. Comparing the new gun with my 28 ga (ser 31XX) the engraving ov the triger plate is at least hand chased and is much deep and has raised areas whereas the 28 does not. Same for the forend metal.

[Rex Northen]

Really nice gun. Interesting to have two sets of 16 gauge barrels!

[timcornish]

Thanks for the info which clears up the P issue. Both sets are dream bird guns. The first one has a straight stock while the new one has a pistol grip. We had an excep[tional dove year this time out here in New Mexico (at least I did) and I ended up useing mostly the 16 or the 28 because both handle like no other shotgun (except great grandads Parker 20 which I sometimes shoot). Here are the stocks on the new 16/20 (bottom) and the 28 ga (top). I dropped the 28 while hunting and cracked the stock but glassed it before the crack got dirty and it is almost like new, have to look hard to see the damage