I shoot factory RST, reloaded RST shells and factory Fiocchi Shooting Dynamics in all my Parker and Lefever 16g guns. The only Parker I shoot 2 1/2” RST or RST reloads in solely is my higher grade Parker top-lever hammer gun.

This Remington era gun would have been chambered for 2 3/4 inch shells unless special ordered for something else. SAAMI specs had been in force for a decade when this gun was made. Remington 16-gauge shells at the time this gun was made were the 2 3/4 inch Auto-Express --

Attachment 93714

the 2 9/16 inch Nitro Express --

Attachment 93713

The 2 9/16 inch SHUR SHOT --

Attachment 93715

Remington led the transition from the 2 9/16 inch 16-gauge shell to the 2 3/4 inch when they introduced their Model 11 and Sportsman autoloaders in 16-gauge in 1931 made for 2 3/4 inch shells. The first 16-gauge guns out of Ilion since the quit their hammerless doubles in 1910. By 1933 their Model 31 pump gun was on the market in 16-gauge also made for 2 3/4 inch shells. Along with these 2 3/4 inch chambered 16-gauge guns Remington introduced their 2 3/4 inch progressive burning powder Auto-Express shell with a 3 1/4 dram equiv. 1 1/8 ounce load. Their 2 9/16 inch progressive burning powder Nitro Express shell carried a 3 dram equiv. 1 1/8 ounce load.

So Dave, would that mean that the chambers in 1938 were 2 5/8" to accommodate the 2 3/4" shells?





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That is what the Remington specification sheets on pages 164 to 169 of The Parker Story say.

Now you got me looking. The SAAMI meeting where they talked about chamber lengths and made the recommendation that manufacturers start marking the chamber lengths on their guns was in 1937. I checked my 1936 Model 31 16-gauge two barrel set and the chambers are just over 2 5/8 inch. My 1938 vintage 16-gauge Sportsman has a chamber a full 2 3/4 inch. Neither of these guns are marked as to chamber length. My December 1940 VHE is marked 2 3/4 inch but the chambers measure just a strong 2 5/8 inch. Don't know what any of this means.

Jimmy Hall makes a good point on the heat from BP and the possibility of damage to the rib. I have a couple of VR Parkers but only shoot low pressure smokeless powder. If you check the date your gun was made I bet you will see that the use of BP was discontinued in favor of smokeless

Parker Letter Received:
 

The Parker Letter revealed the shotgun was ordered by the Wm. Hoegee Co. of Los Angeles, CA. founded in 1889. The company started out manufacturing awnings and tents for the mining and orange industry. By 1904 their outfitter store was 90,000 square feet located at 138 S Main St. LA. and also contained an expert gunshop. I have added a photo of William Hoegee's home.
The price listed in the 1928 was $227.00 plus $30.00 for the ventilated rib. Using the Inflation Adjustment Calculator today's cost would be $3931.38. I love 1/2 price Parkers.:rotf:

Parker 16 gauge history
 

That's interesting and I too have seen those calculators for modern day costs as compared to costs of the day. However, in 1938 the newly enacted minimum wage was $.25 per hour and today I think it's around $15 an hour. That's a 60 fold increase. If we take the selling price of $227 times 60 that's about $13,620 if it were new, which makes a little more sense to me. Any way you look at it that's a beautiful gun and an incredible value at the Cabela's selling price. 45 states participate in the Power Ball lottery, I suggest you buy some tickets.

Minimum wage is $7.25 but likely to increase with a Democrat controlled Congress.

Shoot me
 

Damn accounts, you can't get anything by them....:rotf::rotf:

Looks to me that they are looking to make up for this 16-gauge DHE with this early 20-gauge Trojan at seven grand --

https://www.gunsinternational.com/gu...n_id=101616896