:cuss::cuss:

Several inches long is news to me.

Why would Parker, or any other maker, use keels to fill in the gaps at the muzzles, that were several inches long? Would that not suggest that the makers were anticipating someone, down the road, shortening the barrels?

The keels I have taken out by melting the solder and removing the ribs were only 1/8" "long" at most.

Perhaps the longer keels were used to balance the gun.

:shock::shock:

Several keels were shown here, and one or two were over 4" long. One thing is for certain; the muzzle picture shown of the cut barrels clearly shows keels. The barrels were cut by 4". Were new keels inserted and soldered in place after the barrels were bobbed? Unlikely, but not impossible.

It all depends on who bobbed the barrels. If Parker Bros. cut the barrels they most certainly would have installed new keels. DHE 149020 proves the fact.





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Well, there's a hot mess. Did you refuse to pay the ransom? Those pics demonstrate how digital photography can sometimes work against you. too much detail.

Those pics need some sort of supporting documents. There's no proof, without the letter, to say Parker cut them. There is no proof one could say(one with a vivid imagination) the keels present aren't original, or, replaced.
The keels always extended out the front, in the initial soldering process, and were them cut flush during finishing. Their length had as much to do with gauge also, because the ribs needed to rest on something firm to keep them squared up when they were wrapped.
Keep in mind, also taking into account Mike's comment re balance, that solder is nearly 4 times heavier than steel. Large cavities needed to be 'filled' with something, (keels) to A, prevent filling them with solder, adding weight, and, B, to prevent shrinkage withing the solder as it solidifies. Solder solidifies like steel, like a thickening envelope, leaving a void in the center. Voids are little places where moisture takes up residence.

OMGoodness Edgar… you’ve seen the letter before and you’ve handled the gun too and you may even rember it is tho only known Parker twenty-eight gauge to have been made with 24” Damascus barrels… in ANY grade. But I know you just like to pull my chain…:whistle:


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Dean, that letter, and George's comment, bring to the surface, many of our 'less well thought-out' decisions. George, That little 16 came to me by a 'picker', who unearthed it from the original family. Bridgeport, CT, as I recall. The stupid move began, with me selling it to Tom Carter. Tom indicated at the time, as I recall, that he was going to fit steel, 20ga barrels to it. That never happened, and Dean bought it. Then Dean joined Tom and I in the 'Stupid Move' club and again sent it packing. There is lots of space for new members in the Stupid Move club, so, should you decide to join, I suspect both Dean, and I would be willing to help your application along.

So you’re saying that George now owns the 16 ga. Twist barreled Lifter that was bobbed to 24”??





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