Auction mistake, I think?
 

Recently purchased a 1899 DH 12 Gauge with 26in Damascus Barrels on auction. Condition wasn’t pristine which I was fine with as I planned on using it to pheasant hunt. Upon picking it up and referencing the Parker book the barrels have been cut. The book says it came from factory with 30 inch barrels. There also appears to be some pitting in the barrels as well. Do I cut my losses? Do I have options of fixing it? What’s a fair value of something like this now?

( I will upload some better pictures tomorrow )

That rib looks compromised I wouldnt stick much more money into I would have a hard time paying over 500 . Can you return you didnt say what type of auction.

Estate auction. I don't believe i am able to return it.

The pitting, if not overly bad, is probably not worth worrying about. As one member here told me long ago, "I've had pits a gopher could hide in.") As to the cut barrels, you are SOL. With 4 inches gone, there is probably no choke left, and you might get a 45% IC pattern at best. Only the patterning board will tell. So you have a classy 30 yard pheasant gun. If all your hunting is over pointing dogs, you may be OK. If you're kicking them out at 30, not so much. Somebody that wants a 7 1/2 pound quail gun might buy it, but will want it for less than you probably paid for it. Facts of life. Sorry.

Some of the best field guns I’ve hunted had cut barrels. You just never know.

Buyer beware. Always

Mike was referring to my VH that Sherman Bell blew up. The barrels had 2" cut off and was pitted badly. They blew at over 31,000 psi at the breach where the dolls head screw and extractor rod met. Cut barrels can be surprisingly effective. Other than the barrels being cut your DH is a beautiful Parker. Every now and then you will find a set of unmolested barrels your frame size to add to the DH's usefulness.

The barrels are cut for sure. That alone of course does not make it not functional. But it can make or break something being a good buy or not.

I have done that too...been surprised when I open the box after I won an auction. I think it is why when I sell or trade something I list every imperfection as I have been surprised/disappointed too many times.

In fact not too long a ago I bought what I thought was an early hammer 12ga. and it turned out to be a 10ga. Everything was so nice about it I decided to keep it. Or another time when I asked about the condition of the bores and was told they're good for it's age and when I got the gun there was a hole in the left barrel 6 inches from the muzzle.

You can certainly shoot your DH as is and if the stock fit's you I would be on the hunt for another set of 30" barrels. That's what I would do, if the gun fits you well, finding another set of barrels would be my goal(and that is not as hard as it sounds).

Quick Edit: Paul, what frame size is it? I have an orphan set of 12ga. 30" Damascus 1 frame barrels that might help.

Unfortunately it’s a size 2 frame otherwise I’d be a buyer on those. Was wondering if it was worth trying to find or if I even could find another set of barrels.

I believe a two frame is the more common frame size for that gauge. So finding a set should not be as difficult. You’ll probably need to have them fit to your gun once you acquire them.

If the barrels you have are safe to shoot, it’s always good to have a rainy day option in my opinion.

It looks to have some nice wood could you post some pictures of the complete stocks

2 frame 12ga barrels should be even easier. I'll check and see if I have something else. What about stock fit? Does everything else about the gun work for you?

The second you sell the gun, you'll run across the perfect set of barrels somewhere. I would be a little patient. I would still go shoot it...

Here is some better pics of the wood.

I’d greatly appreciate the help if you do happen to have something else. I am 6’4 so not many shotguns of this era fit me. I’ve learned to deal with it. I’m perfectly fine with everything else about the gun. Barrels are tight to receiver. Functions properly. Definitely could use cleaned but I’m happy with overall condition for the purpose I bought it for, if that makes sense.

Earlier this year I purposely bought a DH with cut damascus barrels and it too has the original skeleton butt plate. I used it in September for dove hunting.
I'm quite pleased with it.

Here you go

30" Vulcan steel barrels #2 Frame. $850.00

Just what I was looking for! I appreciate the help! Are you familiar with the process of having new barrels fitted? Is it overly difficult?

The barrel is already cut and an alternate is to send it to Briley and have flush/thin wall choke tubes installed. Briley will check the integrity of the barrels before installation. Something like $549. which includes 5 choke tubes of your choice.

Will Brothers could fit them to your gun. That’s a beautiful stock, BTW. Shoot some appropriate shells at a pattern board and see what you have.

The barrels are a very nice Parker D4 4 Iron "Turkish"
It would be wise to send the original barrels to Will Bros. to assess the integrity of the 'inexpert' rib repair, careful measurement of the wall thickness, and opinion regarding the pitting. The problem is that it is impossible to measure the depth of the pits without a very expensive ultrasound apparatus.
They should also check the head of the stock and check and clean the action.

Channing Will, in my humble opinion, is a capable, honest guy.

The barrels in question do not have a cocking hook and screw, nor do they have a 1910 bolt plate and pin. The hunt is on. Can anyone help?

I've found that when 30s are cut down to 26 the walls are generally too thin to choke tube the gun. But they could determine that. For the same price one could have a set of Briley tubes installed that will give the option of screw in chokes in 20 gauge, and certainly the gun could then handle not only one ounce loads but even the short magnum 1 1/8 ounce 2 3/4" loads. Then one could also remove the tubes and shoot 12 gauge low pressure stuff. The advantage of the 20 is one could shoot off the shelf ammo in it.

Thank you everyone for the help thus far, I really appreciate it.

I think I am going to contact willbro’s and discuss having them assess the barrels & make a decision from there. I’m 50/50 on keeping the original barrels or getting new ones.

You would be well served to do both. Keep the original that are cut and fit steel bbls to it for all around hunting and such. Just mho

Great advice here

My thought is you will be well served with the original barrels as they are. An extra set gives you more options to match gun to game. A friends Grandfather ordered a AAH in 1897 with Whitworth Steel barrels. Over the course of ownership he had Parker make four other sets of barrels. All were Vulcan Steel.The point is your a DH sporting VH barrels is quite Parker.

Were you planning on flipping it or keeping it? If you are going to keep it , it appears that a 26 inch barrel was ok for you. If you hand load I'm more than sure you can come up with a load with the right wad that will get you out of Cyl territory. It's not going to get you a full choke but I'm sure you can find a combination that will give you a tighter pattern.

I have a great DHE 12 gauge #2 frame gun with factory single trigger, beavertail forend, and very nice straight grip stock. Herschel Chaddick converted the gun into a factory appearing skeet gun by cutting the barrels and advertising it as an original skeet gun in various gun rags. The serial numbers were a giveaway for serious Parker students, but Herschel aimed his ad at less educated viewers. A friend fell for Chaddick's trap and bought the gun. HC refused to refund the price and much later, after another owner, I ended up with the fake skeet gun after my friend took a loss. I have a full file of the entire transaction, beginning to end, including HC's claim that the gun was real and refusing to make it right. End of story, it is a great gun, cut barrels and no choke. I have never thought of trying to find another set of barrels for this great gun. The file of letters between an evasive Herschel and the buyer are worth more than the gun to Parker collectors.