I have several questions about Parker frame sizes?
 

I have been looking for a new to me Parker since I bought my first one about 2 years ago. It's a #1 frame 12 ga.GH. I'm curious to find out what is your favorite frame sized gun for the different types of hunting that you do. Also, I have been wanting to know if people special ordered specific frames sized guns back in the day. What are some of the rarer gauge-frame size combinations and most and least desirable combinations. Looking forward to hearing your responses.

Being a fan of the smaller gauge guns my input would be that 1 frame 20 gauge guns are a difficult find. I happen to have two of those that I turkey hunt with. The Widgeon Duck Club twenty gauge guns were also one frame guns ordered for the storied CA duck club. For upland hunting a 20 gauge 0 frame is hard to beat, as is the 00 frame 28 gauge.

A customer more likely requested a specific weight and the Brothers P picked a frame size to deliver that weight. A requested balance could play into it as well.

Is there any documentation available to the public that shows how many guns of each gauge and frame sizes were built?

Not that anyone is aware of.

What's about the biggest frame size for a 12 ga. that is desirable?

I used to be a “lighter the better” person. I have a modest collection of 0 and 1 frame Parkers as a result. I still prefer these light weight guns for long days afield with few opportunities to shoot. 12, 16, 20, 28. They all are fine for long days and minimal shooting. I used a 0 frame 16 today and walked for 6 hours and took 5 birds. More recently I have been interested in waterfowl specific guns or guns to shoot high volume such as sporting clays. To me, a heavier frame is a better choice for these endeavors. I believe the heavier weight keeps the gun moving and also is lighter on recoil. 2 or 3 frames shine here. So in my opinion you need them all! From what I have learned frame size was determined at the factory by the weight requested and not a specific customer request option.

Specific frame sizes were not cataloged. Customers would commonly specify the target weight of the gun. And it was the factories job to match up the barrels with the right frame sizes to meet that weight.

In 12ga 30" guns #2 frames normally weigh 7lbs 12oz to 8lbs, #3 12ga 30" 8lbs 6oz+, #1 frame normally weight less than 7lbs 6oz. But there are may exceptions. For upland birds a #1 frame 12ga would be perfect, unless you want to pay up for a Parker small bore. Parker small bores are not real light compared to like a Fox. For ducks over decoys a #2 frame 30" is hard to beat, for long range waterfowl late in the season with heavy loads a #3 frame 12ga is hard to beat.

Both of my Doubles trap guns are 30 inch 12 gauges on 1 1/2 size frames.

Weight is one of several factors regarding frame size. The balance of the gun is an important element, as is how the gun “carries.” If I’m in a duck or dove blind I like a gun with a bit more heft, and one that has enough weight to help my swing. Following a bird dog for miles with infrequent shooting (much too infrequent of late), I like a gun that fits my hand, comes up quickly, and has enough inertia to swing (but swing fast when needed). As Craig noted, a 2 frame Parker 12 is ideal for shooting ducks (or dove) from a blind. A lively 0 frame 20 or 16 can be a blessing to shoot when after Bobs and grouse. A woodcock gun is a topic for another thread.

Parkers are generally heavier, but extremely well balanced. The multiple frame sizes available show the maker’s attention to detail.

Dave, the frame sizes used when Parker Bros made guns was not recorded until later years. I can’t tell you the exact year the frame sizes were entered into the order books. There were a lot of guns made prior to the frame size entries so there’s no actual hard data breaking down the numbers and sizes. Maybe The Parker Story has some info, but I don’t remember whether it does or not.

There is at least one #6 frame 12 gauge hammerless gun.

#6 frame 12 I would not want to carry, maybe in a duck blind. Gary

There is a reason I own a handful of 16g 0 frame Parkers. Next up is an 0 frame 20 when the right one comes along. These are bird guns and too light for a full day of clays with their 26" barrels.

Frame sizes were not recorded in the order books. They were in the factory stock books.

There are references to frame sizes (as measured over the bolsters) in the earlier hammer gun days. But, yes, there being an actual column in the stock books for frame size was not until later on, like 19-teens or early 20s. I cannot recall either.

The first stock book entry with frame sizes is stock book # 75 and is from July 1925.

I like a 6 frame 8 gauge as well as 3 frame 10’s . But probably the Parker I liked THE most was a 1 1/2 frame VHE 12 gauge 32” vent rib trap gun .

For woodcock, ruffed grouse or quail it's hard to beat an O frame, whether it be a 28, 20 or 16 gauge. Next year on the prairie chasing sharptails and huns I plan to carry a 30" O frame 20 and a 30" 1 frame 16. I love my 2 frame 12's for sporting clays pushing 7/8 oz 8's or 9's is like butter.

My lightly choked #3 frame 16 is a wonder gun, with 1 1/4 magnum loads of #9, it can kill 6 to 12 quail out of a covey.

I have to agree that an 0 frame 28 just seems more 'fluid'.

What will a #0 frame 28ga weight with 28" barrels?

Only Parker 28 I ever owned was on an 0 frame but 26” . Never weighed it so I can’t speculate at your question .

My O frame 28 gauge with 28” barrels is 6.2 lbs with unstruck barrel weight of 2/14
My O frame 28 gauge with 26” barrels is 6.4 lbs with unstruck barrel weight of 3/2

I love my #6 frame Parker 8ga guns and can understand the weight using 2oz or 2 1/4oz loads back in the day. But why a 6 frame in any other gauge? Why would anyone want a 13 pound plus 12ga or 10ga?? I once owned a 10ga D 36" #6 frame, that is still owned by a member, it was a beast.

5 pounds, 14oz

My 30" 28 weighs 6lbs, 4oz

I've got to agree with Mr. Larter on the weight of a Fox 20 to a Parker O frame 20. The Fox is just slimmer and lighter. I've got 8 Parker 20's, all O frames and I certainly love shooting them. The frame of my OO 28ga is actually the same size as one of my Fox 20's or 16's.

So, what Parker frame size in a 12 ga. would approximate the weight of my 32" barreled Fox HE which weighs in at 9 lbs. 6.6 oz., which by the way handles very well?

Light doesn’t work for me from a shooting standpoint. I loved carrying my OO frame 28’s in the woods but I damn sure couldn’t kill anything with them. The little more weight of the O frame is significantly more effective for me.

Would love to see that 000 frame 28!

Fat fingers. I fixed it Chuck. 🤦*♂️🤷*♂️

0 frame 28 gauge with factory 27” barrels -6 lbs even.

I have a GHE 20 skeet that weighs 3 ounces more than my Fox 20 Skeet & Upland w/ ejectors. Both 26" barrels, both straight stock. 3 ounces in my opinion is insignificant. The GHE of course is a 0 frame. I am sure there are examples that could go either way. But in general I suppose the Fox guns are lighter, but not significantly in my experience.

I really appreciate all the information given in this thread. I have learned a lot and it's from real time experience from people that hunt with these guns. It's helping me to decide on which gun I will try to win in the upcoming Guyette and Deeter auction. Thanks, and I hope the info just keeps coming in.

I have a 30” 12ga weighs in at 7lb 1oz. #2 frame
Is that possible or my scale off

Three frame 10 gauge Parker’s to me kinda felt the same . The HE I had was restocked and 30” coming in around 9.5 pounds , the three frame 34” 10 gauge NH I’m shooting at present is a few ounces heavier but felt better in my hands than the HE .

I’ve had a five frame hammer 10 in my hands (owned by a friend) and three four frame hammer guns in my hands one of which I got from you and I thought the four of them rather cumbersome . But I also think the stock dimensions had a bit to do with that . There was a time I wanted 10’s or 8’s in frames sizes 2-7 got them all except a 5 frame .

It was one of them thar books. I had a 50/50 shot at remembering which one. :eek:

Chuck and Dave, there are two 000 frame 28 gauges out there. They were displayed at the PGCA meeting at the Ohio Gun Collectors show. They were measured to prove their originality. By the way, most if not all of the #6 frame 10 gauges were originally 8 gauges and were rebarrelled to 10 when 8 gauges were outlawed for waterfowl in the early 20th century. The 12 gauge #6 frame gun probably came to life the same way.

We need a follow up book to TPS that includes all the things we’ve learned since its publication.