8 gauge
 

Just acquired a very poor condition 10 gauge for parts. After closer inspection realized it is an 8 gauge sxs, apx 1885 ( all marching numbers-- 42836---)
No engraving, so nothing special.
Straight stock, ejectors, duel trigger.
Brown twist barrells, hardened fore arm, everything dirty but in operational condition (currently disassembled and soaking in my favorite cleaning/pentitraining solution---50% power steering fluid/50% acetone).
Was thinking about parting out, but wondering if the 8 gauge, 32 inch barrell maybe valuable?

Thoughts?

Thanks in advance,
George

George: I would venture to say that your 8 gauge Parker could be too valuable to part out as they are quite rare especially with an original straight stock. A poor condition 8 gauge Parker is not unusual as most were heavily used, some by market hunters. I question your description of "ejectors" however as I have never heard of an 8 gauge Parker with ejectors. Quite possibly you meant to say extractors. If you PM me the full serial number I will look it up in "the book" & let you know what it says. You may also want to order a letter from PGCA.

Best Regards, George

Ha,
You are correct as to "ejectors" vrs extractors--- my mistake.
As far as I know, the serial number provided is the "full" number.??
Thanks,
G
210-748-4693

George, SN 42836 is listed as a 10 gauge in the serialization book. Do you have the bore and chamber internal diameter measurements available?

I measured and got .835
Will confirm and post photos tomorrow
G

hope you got a 8 ga but looks like a 10 ga by the serial no. no 8 ga made in that serial no according to info in parker books...hope it does turn out to be a 8....charlie...

K, will try to confirm,
G

So,
Can I have 8 gauge barrells on a 10 gauge receiver?

If it was originally made as a 10 gauge but has 8 gauge barrels now, it most likely went back to Parker Bros. For them.

And yes, 10 and 8 gauges share some of the larger frame sizes.

George, if you get a letter for this gun, it may contain information that would answer some of your questions. HTH.

if everything is operational, be it 8 or 10, can it be restored rather than parted out?

At which end of the barrels did you get the .835 measurement? What is the diameter of the "other" end? What is the exact distance between the firing pin holes, center to center in sixteenth of an inch? If there is any further question, we can mail you an eight gauge shell casing for you to try for fit in the chamber and post a picture. Your gun should not be parted out. You can get way more money for the whole thing than any sum of parts. Where are you located? We can send you to someone to check your gun out.

Okay,
I really messed up; the 8 on the barrel end was part of the weight stamp (5 8-- as in five pounds eight ounces).
Sorry for the confusion.
It is a "Twist" Damacus barrel, 10 gauge, hammer, built in 1885, all components in operational condition ( now cleaned and oiled by me--- although not sure I can reassemble to the working order as found?)
They are 32 inch barrels, measure .850 at muzzle , .750 at barrel end, .060 thickness of steel at barrel end.
Might continue to clean, repair stock, reassemble, and make a nice wall hanger?
Might part out?
Into it pretty cheap, so a nice wall hanger is where I am think now.

Don't part it out! Send it to Turnbull to fix. I did it with a 10 ga. on a #6 frame years ago, Turnbull said they could barely rehab it. It came back a work of art and a great shooter. Back on line where it belongs. I've shot a lot of geese and ducks with it, almost exclusively with black powder shells.
Good luck!