Weight is one of several factors regarding frame size. The balance of the gun is an important element, as is how the gun “carries.” If I’m in a duck or dove blind I like a gun with a bit more heft, and one that has enough weight to help my swing. Following a bird dog for miles with infrequent shooting (much too infrequent of late), I like a gun that fits my hand, comes up quickly, and has enough inertia to swing (but swing fast when needed). As Craig noted, a 2 frame Parker 12 is ideal for shooting ducks (or dove) from a blind. A lively 0 frame 20 or 16 can be a blessing to shoot when after Bobs and grouse. A woodcock gun is a topic for another thread.

Parkers are generally heavier, but extremely well balanced. The multiple frame sizes available show the maker’s attention to detail.

Dave, the frame sizes used when Parker Bros made guns was not recorded until later years. I can’t tell you the exact year the frame sizes were entered into the order books. There were a lot of guns made prior to the frame size entries so there’s no actual hard data breaking down the numbers and sizes. Maybe The Parker Story has some info, but I don’t remember whether it does or not.

There is at least one #6 frame 12 gauge hammerless gun.

#6 frame 12 I would not want to carry, maybe in a duck blind. Gary

There is a reason I own a handful of 16g 0 frame Parkers. Next up is an 0 frame 20 when the right one comes along. These are bird guns and too light for a full day of clays with their 26" barrels.

Frame sizes were not recorded in the order books. They were in the factory stock books.

There are references to frame sizes (as measured over the bolsters) in the earlier hammer gun days. But, yes, there being an actual column in the stock books for frame size was not until later on, like 19-teens or early 20s. I cannot recall either.

The first stock book entry with frame sizes is stock book # 75 and is from July 1925.

I like a 6 frame 8 gauge as well as 3 frame 10’s . But probably the Parker I liked THE most was a 1 1/2 frame VHE 12 gauge 32” vent rib trap gun .

For woodcock, ruffed grouse or quail it's hard to beat an O frame, whether it be a 28, 20 or 16 gauge. Next year on the prairie chasing sharptails and huns I plan to carry a 30" O frame 20 and a 30" 1 frame 16. I love my 2 frame 12's for sporting clays pushing 7/8 oz 8's or 9's is like butter.

My lightly choked #3 frame 16 is a wonder gun, with 1 1/4 magnum loads of #9, it can kill 6 to 12 quail out of a covey.