Dr John (Truitt), can tell you alittle about those 34" barrels--he certainly favors them.

This has been one of my go-to guns for preserve birds over pointing or flushing dogs. Light, quick, and open seems to work for me out to 35 yards or so with RST or Polywad 24 gram 6's. I'm not a good enough shot to consistently hit longer ones (except geese with my 32" 10 ga., but that's another story) even with the full choke barrel. This is last weeks haul for 3 shooters. Mr. Bishop's letter says the following:

Parker shotgun, serial number 130829, was ordered by J.B. Shannon & Sons of Philadelphia PA on February 4, 1905 and shipped on August 20, 1905. According to Parker Bros. Order Book No. 66, it was a GH han1merless, 12-gauge. It featured Damascus steel barrels with a length of 26 inches. Special requests were "Lite" and RH cylinder. The order was placed by S.A. Tucker.
According to Parker Bros. Stock Book No. 46, the stock configuration was a capped pistol grip and its specifications were: Length of Pull: l 4 ¼", Drop at Heel: 2 3/4", Weight: 6 pounds and 8 ounces. The chokes were patterned RH 120 pellets and LH 240 pellets of size 7 shot in a 30" circle at 40 yards.

Except for replacing a cracked DHBP and a missing front sight bead, it is original as it letters. I feel lucky to have found it as a walk in at a local show. Sorry for the sideways pics.:banghead:

Nice Mike. That brings back some memories of last pheasant season.

Todd are you still in the Las Vegas area?

Yes, 60 miles northeast towards Utah.

Todd....even thought grouse in thick cover is instinctual shooting, I never understoof the popularity of short barrels. I used mostly 28" guns in grouse cover but wouldn't feel handicapped with 32" barrels if it was a light gun.
They feel better and point better, even in close cover.

Some talk about short barrels needed in tight cover but I never understood the logic of that. I've never had the swing of a gun barrel stopped by brush. It just doesn't happen.

I owned a 34" DHE that was my favorite pass shooting gun in Sasketechewan. Those long barrels sure helped. I loved the feel of that gun.

It is 99.9% psychological... and That in itself is always enough to miss a bird.






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As is usual for these discussions I am at the opposite end of the trend. I have no use for long barrels. I like 'em short or more specifically with the weight of the gun between my hands. I did some of the best shooting on pass shooting doves last year with my 12 ga P w/26" twist barrels choked .012/.024 with 7/8 oz loads. At 6-10 it is a lightweight but moves as smooth as silk. As someone said, to each his own.

28". Not too long, not too short :corn:.

It's purely a personal thing. I like long barrels others like the short ones. My grandfather taught me to shoot with my barrel arm extended like I was pointing at something rather than bent like most others shoot. His theory was it gave better control. It is natural when pointing at something to keep your arm straight. My hand is well down the barrel when shooting so short barrels don't feel right to me. Also, I don't like to shoot guns with Beavertails since my natural form is to shoot with my hand beyond the reach of these types of forend's and they get in the way for me.