Back when he was still living, I saw Russ Bickel do some amazing things with Parker barrel fitting. There's a lot can be done, but some still just won't work. Unfortunately I had one of the ones that wouldn't, though he did try pretty hard. I think of Russ often, he was a good friend.

Destry

Kensal, I agree this is no job for the home hobby kind of guy. The first thing someone must realize is you need a set of barrels that have a chance to fit.And that includes all the little nuances such as the bolt and bolt plate combination.I have found that the barrels that have the greatest chance of being successfully fitted are ones that are close in serial number. As Dean suggests if they are too small to begin with there is nothing that can be done.


I am in a bit of a different situation than most as I have 30 years experience as a toolmaker and work for a company that is very pro-gun. In fact we rebuilt a hammergun last week that was a wall hanger for many years and brought it back to shooting condition just for the hell of it.

Russ was an extremely talented gunsmith and could work wonders with metal. He put my Titanic barrels on face with incredible precision and re-rust blued them perfectly. He also fitted the 12 ga set of Damascus barrels to my DH for me with the very same precision and results. I fit the 10 ga. Damascus set with the guidance of David Trevallion.

I've home hobby fitted one set of barrels to make a two barrel set. The gun and barrel set were pre-1910 so wear plate was not an issue. I had to thin up the barrel lug by about 12 thousandths, and add a shim to the front lug to tighten the forearm. The cocking hook fit perfectly, but just as possibly may not have. I'll be the first to admit it was pure luck, rather than skill. In my case the barrels were 24" cut from ebay for $80 delivered. I made no changes to the original gun. So, no big loss, if it didn't work. In hindsight, I'd suggest to get a pro involved. There are alot of variables involved to do the job right.

Yes Dave, it is imperative that NOTHING be done to the gun when fitting a second set of barrels, else the original barrels and forend WILL NOT FIT CORRECTLY.

Does Dave's last post mean that I can't come to him for new Formica countertops?

Dave was never involved in Formica counters. His art was in the design, fabrication, and installation of beautiful granite kitchens, baths, offices, fireplace hearths and mantles, etc. ..... but you knew that.

:):)

Sorry Murphy...I ain't bittin...:rolleyes:

Murph, My wife says no more carrot cake for him, cuz he didn't give her the counter top he said he would, WHEN he was still doing them.