Trojan
 

I purchase on GunBroker awhile ago, a 1918 Trojan in 20 gauge with a single select, Miller trigger. The previous owner who had owned it, as it is my understanding, like to rabbit hunt with the gun. But as he got older, found it difficult to carry it in the field or hit what he was aiming at. His apparent solution to continue to hunt with the gun was to have the barrels cut down to 20-1/2" inches.

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Anyway, I purchased the Trojan because of the Miller trigger. Seeing that most if not all Trojans in this gauge seems to have double triggers. My thought was/is, if it is possible for the trigger assembly to be fitted into another Trojan. To purchase a higher condition gun with desired barrel lengths, then keep the donor for spare parts. If not, then to either find a set of barrels and have them fitted, or have the barrels sleeved to 28" inches.

What is the general consensus. Is it worth it, and/or which way would be recommended if this was your choice to make?

This is just my personal opinion. No matter what you do, you will behind the eight ball money wise. Probably the best thing you could hope for is to find a donor set of barrels that can be fit to your gun. Sleeving is very expensive & would be cost prohibitive for a Trojan. Having the Miller trigger mounted into another Trojan would also require many hours of gunsmithing work to complete.

I would suggest using the gun the way it is, while you search for a set of barrels.

I hope you got it really cheap. The things people do to these old guns is criminal. OK; mini-rant over...

After auction, shipping/handling and transfer fee, $1280 USD if I recall correctly. Seen others where metal wasn't as clean and didn't have the Miller were asking prices right around $2000. But then everyone thinks "their" gun is worth what they're asking.

One option might be to look into having Briley install choke tubes if you want to hunt with it. A 20" single trigger 20 gauge Parker might be interesting. You can find bbls if your patient.

Extrapolations notwithstanding, in the lower grades, at least half of a Parker's value is in its barrels...IMHO.





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What I have found, from extensive experience;
If I'm buying something - it is a highly sought after, extremely collectible, penultimate gem, of whatever it is.
When I'm selling; it is the wrong this, that, or the other, and not worth two dead flys.

I was hoping the OP would offer it for sale for about $400. I would then be somewhat interested. I guess that's not going to happen.

As constructed to the patented design, Miller triggers are one-off installations and as such are built in situ so to speak, e.g. not transferrable to any other gun unless the entire trigger plate with existing mechanism is fitted, which becomes a real nightmare in mating metal surfaces and fitting stock internals. A 'donor' set of barrels is really the most cost-effective alternative and the one that makes the most sense.

I've heard that Parker's were basically clockworks requiring extensive fitting to get them to work right. But I just happen to live only 90 miles from what I understand from others on this board, is one of a few gunsmiths that can actually work on Parker's.

But yours and others recommendations to seek out a set of donor barrels makes more sense both logically and economically. I have been looking on and off for a couple of months now, to no avail. So any suggestion where I might find a set would be appreciated.

Your best bet for a set of barrel might be to find a whole gun with other issues like a broken stock which could be picked up reasonably.