Mystery Gun
 

Hoping someone here can help me out. Had this 12 Ga to 2 gun shows and several different shops. Some tried to match numbers in the Parker book. It's sort of a strange rare bird I guess. Maybe someone could shed some light.

Steve, Your gun 57188 is a Parker Bros. Hammerless gun in 10 gauge. The E designation on the watertable denotes a grade 2 gun. If the gun was a 12 gauge or smaller that letter would have been a G. Unfortunely the gun is not listed in the Parker Serialization Book so we can't tell you the stock configuration or barrel length. A wise decision would be to join the PGCA and order a research letter on the gun. If you are a member a letter will cost $40.00 if you order a letter without membership the cost is $100.00 plus there are additional benefits to membership as you will see. Hope this help's.

If it is now a 12 gauge, it may have been rebarrelled in the past, or maybe just mismarked as a 10 gauge EH when it was made. According to PGCA information, order book information is available on this gun which will tell you who ordered it and what configuration he ordered, we think.

What's the frame size and the length of the barrel.? Frame size is found on the barrel lug and check for the matting on the rib to end just short of the end of the rib.

I've never owned a 10 Ga, but I am assuming that the diameter is quite larger than a 12Ga. The 12 Ga brass rim fits perfectly into either barrel, so if a 10 is larger, it will not fit. I did a little research before and seems like someone said the # 2 frame was used for the lighter 10s and heavier 12s. Not sure about matting on the rib. I'll look and see if I can figure out what you're talking about there Chuck.

The rib matting is the squiggly lines that run length wise along the rib. Most all Parker barrels have the rib matting stop just short of the end of the rib leaving a blank space. Maybe 1/16" or 1/8" from the end. If you don't see this blank space, the barrels may have been cut. What is the exact length of the barrels.

The books on this gun are conflicting on whether this gun is a 10 or 12 gauge gun.

If I were you, I'd join the PGCA, then order a research letter for this gun.

Steve, I think I have this gun figured out from the pictures you posted plus what the records show.

I think it is a 10ga EH (grade 2) gun with 32" barrels. The E on the water table is one clue, the unstruck barrel weight is 5-11 would be extremely heavy for a 12ga.

What was confusing was there are 2 entries in the same order book for this gun in my database for 57188. The first shows it as a EH 10ga with Damascus 32" barrels and an overall weight of 9 1/2 pounds. The second entry, in the same order book shows it as a GH 12ga with 30" Damascus barrels. Which is right? Upon close inspection, the serial number is actually 57788 and the person who entered it in the database mistook the second 7 for a 1. By the handwriting, it could easily be interpreted as either a 7 or a 1.

My best guess is that the chambers were sleeved down to 12ga. Can you show a good close up, in focus, picture of the chamber openings?

Hey guys, barrels are 32", actually just a tiny pinch over according to my measuring device. I could go on but the pictures will be better than me rattling on.

Your barrels are not sleved. Looks like a 10ga to me.

Wayne, I'll just have to find some 10Ga ammo and see if it fits. You could be right.

It's a 10 gauge for sure, there's no question about it. That's not how the shells would fit in the gun if it was a 12 gauge.

DLH

While the gun in question turns out to be a 10-gauge, serial number 56213 letters as a 12-gauge and is a 12-gauge --

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...ps363d1a90.jpg

among other things. But not a 10-gauge.

them boys are right shes a 10 ga for sure...if you find ammo do not stick the 3 1/2 inch 10 ga magnum shells in gun and try to shoot them.your gun will have chambers to shoot a possible 2 1/2 inch up to 2 7/8 inch.. do not forget ...you will like the 10 ga they are great guns a coupla places sell the proper ammo for your gun when you have it checked out and its deemed safe to shoot... charlie

Thanks guys, and don't worry, I've seen pictures of what happens when folks are dumb enough to stick their barrels in the mud or snow then fire. I know the wrong ammo can do the same, especially with an antique.

Thank you guys. Yeah, the old gun is tight. No slop. I did notice the 12 Ga shell fit pretty sloppy though. The brass set in nice but at second check the shell had a lot more room to wobble around in there than seemed right.

Yes, it is a 10 ga. As a matter of interest, the 10 ga is only about .045 larger

Check your chamber lenths before purchaseing ammo. Last I checked RST came in 2 7/8 cases. You shouldnt have shorter chambers for the year of your gun but check anyway. It is possible that it was ordered in 2 3/4 or 2 5/8 chambers. Always pays to check chambers on old guns. Just my opion.

I know you guys are right. I thank you for the info. I'm not in any hurry to load and fire, I have plenty of other options if I get the urge to shoot something. I will make sure only the correct ammo is used.
Thank You Again