"o" frame 16 production numbers
 

I was wondering how many O frame 16's were produced, and a breakdown as to grades also. Had a conversation with someone who said there were only a couple hundred made, and i said probably more like 2-3 thousand. I have 2 myself, a DHE and a GH.

Impossible to know for sure. And it was far more than s couple hundred.

I agree with Brian and will add my take as well. My guess is the number of 16ga's on an O-frame is probably in the thousands rather than the hundreds. I presently own four a VH, two GH's and a DH & have had a few more pass through my hands. I also see them listed for sale here & on the other internet sales sites on a fairly consistent basis.

My observations also find them to thin out as you go up in grade. I see fewer in DH and above. Then when you add ejectors from DH on up the selection seems to thin even more.

My own observation is that about half of the 16's made were 0 frame. They are not uncommon at all. Of course, I am discounting Trojans as they were all 1 frames. But finding a 16 in a 0 frame is very common.

I agree with Greg on the 50% estimate. I was thinking that when I posted my original reply.

Since all 16g. Trojans were on 1 frames, that grade cannot really be considered in the numbers. Since the Trojan became a best seller after it's introduction. But among other grades, I would guess about half is a good figure.

I will add the observation that nearly all of the 16g. guns that I have taken in for work to my shop are 0 frame guns. But that means little in the whole picture. It just tells me that more people may be buying them and putting money into them over their 1 frame counterpart.

Good point Brian. 0 frames are generally older and need service and are also the darlings of collectors. #1 frame 16s are normally later guns and don't need work. I'm guessing there are a few more 0 frames than 1 frames but not as pretty or as well preserved. Yes, we are not counting Trojans.

Did Parker manufacture half frames 16 gauge guns and what was the frame size of all half frames ?? Also--what was the standard chamber length on all gauges from 12 to 28 and the choke bored from stock to final delivery ?
Allan

There is an O frame 16 in the Amoskeag auction right now.

Brian, the numbers may be skewed geographically also. There may be more 1 frame 16s in the pheasant areas, like the midwest, and more 0 frame 16s in the Northeast, and other Grouse hunting areas.
I bought a nice 0 frame DH at Baltimore.

Interesting, that there could be more 0 frames in sections where more walking in needed for the birds you are hunting. A 6 pound 0 frame is much lighter load than a 7 1/2 2 frame 12 ga.

Allan - I have heard whispering a of the existence of one or two 1/2-frame sixteens but it makes me wonder if such guns were originally made as sixteens or a set of 16 gauge barrels added to a 1/2-frame 12 either at the time of manufacture or as barrels added after the fact.





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I believe I've read that all Parkers (after choking was introduced) were choked Full/Full and were opened as per the sales order. If the sales order didn't specify a particular choking, or pellet count, they were delivered Full/Full.






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I have personally seen a Meriden built 12g. gun with 1/2 frame barrels which immediately perked my attention since it is commonly believed that no 1/2 frame guns were built until Remington was doing them. And that the 1/2 frame was not even developed until 1930.

It turns out that the gun in question was originally a 0 frame 16g. that was later fitted with a set of 1/2 frame 12g. barrels by Remington. That answers that.

Popularity of 0 frame understandable to those who have one. None of my shotguns comes near its handling for grouse and ducks over decoys, choked C/F. It's magic.

I still maintain that the #1 frame is the best frame Parker built in terms of fitting up to the average adult male human body.

Yes, we all like the 0 frame but there's no denying they are a bit on the 'dainty' side.

I'll take all the #1 frame 16's (and 20's and 12's) anyone wants to throw at me.

Dainty???.... I'll show ya "dainty" pilgrim.

Meet my 00-Frame 28 gauge VHE. She's just a little over 5 1/2 lbs.... Oh yeah. and she's 'whippy' too - but she's not wimpy.

I don't know if I'm an average adult male in terms of body size at 212 lbs., 5' 11" but my little 00-frame 28 fits me very well and I can carry it all day long and never once wish I had a lighter gun.

All tongue in cheek - no offense intended... but I really do love this little gun.




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dean those are some light weight barrels at 2.5...i really take notice of the lightest and heavist barrels parker made...charlie

Dean,

What is the three digit number on the left barrel flat? My 2-frame 20-gauge with Vulcan Steel barrels has 153 in that location.

Dave

"All tongue in cheek - no offense intended... but I really do love this little gun"

I think I can understand why you love that gun....:)

My apologies David. I don't know how that top picture got in the folder for 211216 my 28 ga. VHE. That is surely something I snatched from the forum here a couple of years ago when we were discussing lightest barrels. I have a very full folder of "Other People's Parkers" and that's where that picture will go.

Mine is actually 2 lbs. 9 oz.

I think that three digit stamp is 155 or 133 and the barrel weight is 2,5 or 2,3. It goes all blurry when I enlarge the image.

This is mine....



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Dean, I see why you like it! nice gun and well suited for your type hunting, Gary

Recently sold a shooter 0 frame 16 and replaced it with a 1 frame 16 which I shoot much better.The one frame also fits me better. Making frame size to fit the ga. was one of the many good things Parker Bros. did well. My ideas on hunting and frame size and wt. of shotguns are as follows. duck hunting and shooting doves the hunter sits and waits on the birds. He not walking the grouse coverts or prairies for sharptails but sitting and not lugging the gun as he walks. Therefore a heavy gun is not problem. I use a 7 1/2 lb. DH on doves. Today, many skeet guns wt. over 8 and have 30 or 32 in barrels. Once you get the gun swinging it is hard to stop, but they would not be fun carry all day on a bird hunt. Walking I like a gun of 7 or under. My o frame 16 wt. was 6lb. 2 oz. and was too light for me. My 1 frame 16 wt. is 6 1/2 and works for me. These are just my ideas and but everyone is different.

Holy cow!!! I was beginning to think I was the only one that was not fond of light guns.

I much prefer the O frame in a 16. I just sold a wonderful GHE 16 with lots of condition and 26 inch Damascus barrels because it just to heavy to lug around. I liked every thing about the gun other than the weight. All O frames aren't created equal however. I have a straight grip ,BTF Damascus barreled (28 inches) GHE 16 O frame that's no lightweight. It's nice to shoot targets with but that's about all I use it for.

Want a svelte 16? Try a 28" Trojan. Good for any upland game and decoyed waterfowl. Comes with M&F chokes which can be opened or spreaders can be used for typically close shooting. Usually weighs in at about 6#4oz more or less.

Weight, Schmeight. My comments have to do with dimensions.

And....you gotta admit it sounds funny when a 200lb. man gets worried about 6 ounces on a gun.