Wasn't the 3 1/2" ten gauge introduced by Ithaca?

Murphy,

I've always had in my mind your gun probably started life as an 8 gauge and went back for those 10 gauge barrels when the 8 gauge was outlawed for fowling. Do the serial numbers on the gun hold up that idea?


Destry

I recently saw an ad for a UK nitro proved Parker hammer gun. The nitro proof was 2 1/4 ounces. Yup, Destry, the big ten was made as an eight gauge right up next to the ban. The eight gauge barrels are missing. I would buy a ruined eight gauge gun to get the barrels to use on this gun.

You girls make me want to spend money I don't have.....

I know Harry....They do this ALL the time.....:)

what a gun you would have bill ...a 2 barrel set parker with fluid steel 3 1/2 inch chambers and a set of 8 ga with 4 inch chambers...what a gun that would be....im like harry im dreaming way beyond my pocket book....and restrey your right several of them 2 ounce loads willtake there toll..... charlie

Next comparative Parker or English question. I've noticed that the early English hammer guns seem to have modern drop at the heel, while the Parkers and other early American doubles have excessive drop. Are most of you having stocks bent or just changing your shooting style? Thanks again. Mike

Most are adapting to the gun. I find it pretty easy to adapt to a 3" DAH while some others simply can't, so they either restock their guns, or have their stocks bent, or stay away from guns with too much DAH for their physique.

Or raise the comb with a lace-on pad.

Most of my eights and tens have pretty modern dimensions. My experience in reading Parker orders is that most professional shooters and big bore waterfowlers knew about stock dimensions. My 1887 10 gauge pigeon gun, ordered by Parker shooter W.S. Perry has a drop of 2 1/4. Annie Oakley's guns are even straighter at 2 1/8. Two other graded exposed hammer competition type guns that I have letters for specify 2 3/4" drop. Of course, ungraded guns made for stock often have 3" of drop.