Tip of rib matting
 

I now have 55711 (1888) as a project gun. Grade 2 hammerless 12ga, 1 frame.

I spent a few minutes with Mills, and a couple of other fine fellows, at the Southern looking it over. The whole gun is the color of a tootsie roll. Some pits, some dents, a smidge off the face, inexpensive, fits me well.

My understanding has been that all Parker ribs had the perpendicular section of matting at the end. If that was missing, it had been cut. The fellows stated that saying this of ALL Parker's would be an error, as some have been witnessed without this indicator. This barrel (damascus) does not have it, but is full/full. It measures around 29.75". Is it likely that it was a 30", had the tip cut, but not enough to remove the choke?

This gun is not in the book, so I'll order a letter after I renew my membership. Would appreciate perspectives on the rib, and if, in the meantime. Thanks.

A GOOD pic of the end of the rib would help a lot.

They didn’t take the first try.

Sure looks cut to me. Look at how clean the muzzle is.
And the bead is mounted too far back.

Strange the muzzle colors doesn't match the rest of the gun . Maybe had a small problem repaired

Brian you type faster then me LOL

I polished the muzzles last night with 400 to look for a keel.

Far as I know, it was a one family gun, owned by a couple of farming brothers, and they appear to have used for a number of different tasks beyond shooting their dinner.

They don't look to be there looks filled . Can you see them ?

I think the OP explained it. It is cut. End of story. No research required. What a nice gun in original condition. I would not attempt to restore or refinish this gun. The result would be to damage the originality of this gun. "Smoked Parker". I would buy that gun. Not in Serialization Book, but apparently order book information is available, much more interesting than stock book information, which is what is contained in the Serialization Book. A PGCA letter will fill you in.

I asked here because the fellows at the show weren't sure about the keel. That, coupled with the "less than 100%" news that the strip at the end not always being there, motivated the inquiry.

It will be cleaned up a little, but not refinished. The dents needed to be raised, and I want to be able to see the wood clearly enough to find any cracks if there are some, but that's about it.

Except in some isolated occurrences the rib matting Will terminate before the end of the rib in one way or another.

my one observation looking at the close up photo's of the muzzle, even though the OP said he cleaned up the muzzle to see the keels, when I look at the muzzles of most of my guns, the edges of the barrels seem more rounded, both from shot rounding off the inner edge, and the muzzles being "polished" by the ends of gunslips, resting on the top of the foot etc.

How long are the chokes ?