By the way, I guess a letter would maybe answer some of my questions but $40 membership and $40 fee for the letter is just more than I can afford. That might not be much money to the high end Parker collector but to me it's a lot of money. So here I am, asking the experts. :-)

Not a problem David. Photos of the muzzles and the barrel markings might help


If the barrels were replaced by Remington/Parker there should be a repair code on the barrel flats. And Remington replacements don't always show up in letters anyway

Hi David,

Parker choke constrictions were often 4" long and something as much as 6" from start to muzzle. Cutting 3" off the subject barrels would likely leave about .010" constriction. If you do not agree then measure a couple hundred bores at every 1/4" and log those measurements into a spreadsheet as I have done.

Since you haven't measured the inside diameter you DO NOT know what the choke constriction is. The bores could have been honed of reamed making the bore diameter larger than ~ .729". The constriction is the difference between the bore diameter and the muzzle diameter which creates a venturi effect. Shot squirts through a constricted muzzle much like water squirts through the end of a garden hose with constriction devise attached.

You might consider attending a SxS shoot in your area or asking if there are any PGCA members who love close enough to you for you to visit them. A member might be able to help you with your gun.

Your gun is an heirloom and thus should have value to you and your family. Enjoy it as part of something long ago passed on to another generation.

Good luck!
Mark

Bft,
I have no reason to disagree with you and I believe what you said. Your right about not measuring the bore further down the bore as my inside mics and telescoping gauges don't go that small. That's why I asked what the nominal bore dia. is on 12 ga. Parkers. I don't think it has been reamed as the bore end measures smaller ( .720) than bore size of .730. I will look it over again and see if I can determine how deep the choke constriction goes. I know of no SxS shoots in this area. There may have been some at the Williston shotgun club but the town is trying to stop them because of noise complaints and has issued fines. Don't know how this will turn out but as of now I think they are closed.
Yes it's a family heirloom and will be passed down to my son. That's why I'm here, to learn as much as I can for the stats book I keep on all my guns.
Thanks for your reply. The length of the choked area is good info, thanks again.

David,

I long cut choke constriction such as found in Parkers is pretty darn hard to determine without a bore gage.

Since you listed your state as Vermont reach out to some of our Vermont and New Hampshire members. A half dozen or more are very active on this forum.

Mark

Dave, Since the damascus barrels that your gun came with were replaced with Vulcan steel barrels, it's possible that the Vulcan barrels were ordered at 25 inches, and with IC/IC chokes. Also, the bore diameter became closer to the normal .729 in the early part of the 20th century so there's a good chance your barrels are .729 +/- a little bit.

Post a picture of the muzzles taken from the top rib side. Then someone should be able to tell you if the barrels have been cut.

Here's the barrel.

Here's the receiver.

Is this the right butt plate for a 1907 vintage?