Help on Hammer Parker
 

I just picked up this under lifter. It's tight on face as can be and not pitted one little bit. The stock has a crack by the wrist, but otherwise is very solid. Can someone tell me what I bought? You guys have me seeing these damascus guns in a new light! thanks to all responders, Jake
http://s83.photobucket.com/albums/j3...t=IMG_0914.jpg

I guess when I upload these from Photo bucket, everything I have on Photobucket is available for viewing. I don't really care, there are other gun pictures as well.

Jerry, According to the Serialization Book you have a Plain Twist O grade lifter in 10 gauge with 30" barrels ans a capped pistol grip stock.

It's the first one of these under lifters I've handled that has not been really lose on the hinge pin. I'm kinda intrigued by the gun! Wonder if it would be safe with black powder loads? Jake

Jerry ... You'd be smart to have a gunsmith who knows Parkers and early barrels examine the gun before shooting it ... If the smith says the barrels are sound, you can shoot LOW PRESSURE nitro shells from Polywad or RST in the gun and you won't have to deal with the messy cleanup after shooting black powder ... Most PGCA members shoot one of those shell brands in their hammer guns.

Jim Kucaba ... AriZOOna Cactus Patch ... Email: JimKucaba@aol.com

I always thought anything but blackpowder in a non fluid steel gun was a no-no. Or do you mean a blackpowder substitute? Thanks, Jake

Jerry, many of us shoot low pressure nitro loads in our composite steel barrels. I have a 1886 O grade top lever hammer gun that I shoot hundreds of 7/8 oz. loads. You should read the Sherman Bell articles in the Double Gun Journal. Unsafe guns where tested with proof loads and lots of myths where addressed. If interested I'll get you the journal numbers, there good reading.
The gun to the left is a 1890 NH 10 ga. with Twist barrels that I hand load Bismuth and Nice Shot in the 2 7/8" ten, great fun.

I'm 54, but I've been into the doubles since 1974. I guess so much old school thought on damascus guns I'm sure this old dog could learn a new trick on this one or not! Yes, I'd love to read about this if you could provide the info. Thanks so much, Jerry

I have Volume 11 issue 8 2000, Volume Twelve issue1 2001, Volume eighteen issue 1. If you want I'll send them down for you to read, would like them back though. I don't know if this is all of them. If your interested I can recommend some hand loads, or just buy a flat of RST's.
Send me a pm with address and I'll mail them down.
Bob

jerry i have a 8 ga parker and af a lommis the parker has stub twist barrels and the lommis has fine damascus barrells i have fired hundreds of rounds through them with loads from1 3/4 ounce up to 3 ounces.i used alliant bluedot powder with 35 grains up to 49 grains with no damage to either guns. and both guns are just shooters not lookers. there are a lot of good loads for reloaders out there with damascus barrels.... charlie