I spoke with Brad Bachelder yesterday about my barrels. I should be receiving a call this coming week when they are finished. He told me that he puts a coating on them and the best thing I can do for them is apply Johnson's Paste Wax. Just in time for the Ruffed Grouse opener next Saturday!

Hammer Wiggle
 

There is some wiggle to be expected between lock and hammer in the locks of grades 0,1, and 2. Grades 3 and above have a fourth pin/screw in the lock plate, and very little wiggle.

Best, Austin

Good to know, Austin. I was surprised to find very little wear when I measured with a caliper. I figured, with as much force required to cock the hammer and actually firing the gun, that the holes would be all boogered out! As for the number 13 on the right barrel, 'The Parker Story' mentions that many early barrel(s) were marked with the bore size before final boring and honing. So, 13 actually makes sense now! Cheers!

I just received my barrels from Bachelders. They are gorgeous! There are some neat anomolies in the patterns. The bores are now .755" with .027" (IM) for the right choke and .033" (F) for the left choke. The wall thicknesses at 14" from the breech are .102" and .104".

Well now, those are pretty barrels. Nicely done. With .102 walls at 14" they are pretty hefty as well. What ammo will you be taking those grouse with??
Cheers,
Jack

Wow, makes me want to get my Underlifter #16,316 O Grade redone

PDD

Jack, I use Polywad Vintagers with 7-1/2 shot. These work nicely in my Damascus LeFever. They should perform admirably in the Lifter. Cheers!

Mark,

Brad does nice work. He just did a set of barrels for me after he had fitted them to a frame I had lying about. I could not have been happier. I'll post pictures when the gun comes back from the stocker.

Harry

Here is what it looks like. I really don't have a proper set-up for good photos, so I have to rely on sunlight, flash or available lamps.

Here is the other side. I wrapped a .004" shim around the hinge pin to bring the barrels back 'on-face'. I also greased the hinge and forend iron with some Gunslick Gun Grease. Pert near as good as new! I will try her out tomorrow morning. Cheers!