Considering Buying This Gun
 

Need some help to ID the extra barrel. I may have the answer already. I have the Parker serialization book, but states "0" under the extras column. Does that mean the extra barrel with gun was not factory supplied? It has the matching serial #, but that's surely not conclusive. I have not seen the gun in person (this weekend) so don't know if the barrels are original length. 25" & 30", 12 ga, serial # is 109546, DH grade. Thanks in advance for any input, Jim.

a second barrel ordered later and fitted at the factory would be numbered to the gun but not on the original record

If there is records for the gun a letter should verify if the 2nd set of barrels are factory. I have a DH that had a 2nd set of barrels fitted at factory 15 or so years later and its in the letter.

If the barrels were fitted on a later return to the factory, it would not be listed in the serialzation book.

A second barrel set will be serial number matched to the gun, it will have a “2” on the forend lug and it will have it’s own forend which will also have a “2” on it.
Similarly, the first barrel will have a “1” on it and its forend.

The 25” length is suspect.

Unless you can verify it is a second factory set. The second barrel adds little for value.

Thanks to all, just the kind of help I needed, Jim.

Query: A second barrel with its own forend will look prettier in the case compared to a bare barrel. But, are these so closely fitted and custom to a particular barrel that the forends are not interchangeable?

Even on a set fit to the same breech?

Mr. Dudley confirms what I have seen before, that: "A second barrel set will be serial number matched to the gun, ...and it will have it’s own forend".

His information highlights a fact for me; so now I just wonder, is that necessary?

That would depend. Mine is a 10 12 set that are made up to weigh the same on the gun. The forends are not interchangeable.

It was always the standard practice for Parker Bros. When supplying additional barrel sets that each additional barrel set would have its own forend and that they be stamped 1, 2, 3, 4, again, as a ‘standard’ practice.





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The "0" in the extras column indicates no extras like ejectors, single trigger, extra barrels or any other item that would add to the cost.

I had a GH damascus 16 on an 0 frame with two sets of barrels and lettered accordingly. The barrels were not stamped with a number one, and number two, on either the barrels or fore end lugs. They were, of coarse, SN'd the same.

Odd that they would not have been stamped 1 & 2 - but your said all that needs to be said in the gun’s defense.





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I got a look at the gun & it looks good to me. I am adding some pics of the ends of the barrels. First two are the 25". Do they look right? Choke on the 25" is rt .009, lft .027. The 30" is rt .037, lft .039. Bore dia is .730. All chokes are 3" long. Serial #s all match, separate forearm for each barrel, they not interchangeable. No # 1 or 2 on the barrels or forearms.

http://pic90.picturetrail.com/VOL217.../414016016.jpg

http://pic90.picturetrail.com/VOL217.../414016017.jpg

http://pic90.picturetrail.com/VOL217.../414016018.jpg

Also I noticed the 30" barrel measures 29 7/8" . Concerned about that it is not right at 30".

Those 25" barrels look pretty good to me. The bore and choke measurements look good too.

I have a gun that is 29 7/8" with the scribe line and the book says 30" so all is well in my opinion.

Don’t fret. It’s quite common for barrels to measure under the ‘whole number’ by an eigth, and occasionally more. Barrels were assembled, in the rough, and once soldered together, the tubes may not have ended up perfectly flush with each other, and also may have required minor facing when being fitted to a receiver.
There are a few sets of barrels floating around in the hands of members, and I have been surprised how precisely they were soldered together, albeit gobs of solder may have been present prior to striking. I have often wondered if the individual tubes were possibly slightly longer to accommodate finish filing, a I do recall a set which had the proper termination, but measured just less than an eigth overs 30”.

James, check your e-mail

Got the email, thanks. Think I am gonna try & make a deal for this gun, Jim.

I think you mean photos 2 and 3 are the 25” barrels? Either way... that set looks cut to me.

The 25" barrels are picture #s 1&2. 30" is the third pic. Jim.

The beads look different in 1&2. But I will take your word for it.

I agree with Brian, the beads do look entirely different, and the bone bead is further back. The view from the muzzle will look pretty much the same if only an inch is lopped off.

OK, you guys are right. When I transfered the pics from camera to puter, I ID'ed them exactly bass ackwards! Pic 2 & 3 are the 25", sorry bout that, Jim.

:rotf: