Bill, we presume that measurement is across the face of the bolsters, correct?





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Here is a set of 30” ten-gauge 2-frame Damascus barrels I have that I am in the process of fitting to my 12 gauge 2-frame DH No. 90739.
They are very heavy and are swamped to only about 1/16” on their entire length.

You can see the unstruck weight of 5 lbs. 11 oz. which is pretty heavy for a set of 30” 10 gauge barrels made for a 2-frame.


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In 2013, on this thread, Chuck says he has only seen one gun ordered by the "2 1/2" designation to denote a wish for a #3 frame. I have two of them just in my meager collection. Do you think maybe Chuck has seen a few more since 2013? In my opinion, customers didn't know anything about a #3 frame or a 2 1/2 frame. The customer only knew "big" or "heavy" and the person writing the order at Parker Brothers knew that meant a 2 1/2 inch frame in a 12 gauge gun. My #3 frame 16 gauge specifies "2 1/2" as the frame size on the order. I'm sure the customer only knew "real heavy", not any particular frame size.

Dean, your question about "across the bolsters" is answered on page 527 of The Parker Story. I don't have the book in front of me. All I know is that in doing research on these questions, it was determined that a 2 1/2 frame mentioned in Parker orders is matched up with a #3 frame gun in all cases I have seen the 2 1/2 terminology used. A 2 1/2" measurement was noticed in the chart on page 527 for #3 frame guns. I don't know if it was across the bolsters or some other place.

I can’t imagine where else would be wider than across the face of the bolsters.

Parker No. 5949 is a 10 gauge Lifter on the 3-frame and measures 2 3/8” across the face of the bolsters, the widest part of the frame, so could this be the 2 3/8 frame?





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This I what I have noticed going up in a frame sizes you can bring the weight back to center if you are using long or heavy barrels .

I think the 10 gauge probably had the most varied weight range of any Parkers . Ive seen them from 7lbs up to 15lbs and from frame sizes 1 to 6 .

I have seen #3 frame 10 gauges cover a wide variety as well though 8-11lbs .