New collector safety question
 

I've recently acquired a 1903 Parker 16 ga 0 frame with mirror bores that ring nicely and locks up very tight on face. I bought it at the Tulsa Gun Show and the seller had never fired it but thought it to be in sound mechanical order. My question is whether a new owner of one of these old doubles should ALWAYS have the gun inspected by a qualified gunsmith before shooting or is it really necessary if there are no obvious signs of problems? As always, thanks for the great advice from this forum!

Mr. Wilson:
The critical eye of an experienced double gun 'smith is never a wasted precaution when it comes to a newly acquired gun. But he must be familiar with doubles. Not "black rifles" etc.

That being said, if the gun appears original and in good order, it is probably OK to shoot. The barrels are key. If no pits, thin walls, lengthened chambers are in evidence, you're probably OK to shoot.

Generally, folks are unwilling to give an "OK", in the unlikely event that you shot the gun, and it blew up, causing damage to you or the gun, and the next call you receive is from an ambulance-chasing lawyer

I completely understand and thought of that as I submitted the question. I probably should have framed the question in the context of soliciting advice on danger signs to look for or issues that might not be readily apparent to the untrained eye like barrel wall thickness, pitting etc... Just not aware of any gunsmiths in my neck of the woods that are noted experts in old doubles. If there are I would sure like to get to know them.

George Caswell in Enid knows his guns.

It's really a situation where you are probably better off doing nothing other than shooting the gun with proper shells.

A gunsmith won't be able to do much unless he disassembles the gun...and when he does that he'd better be a top-shelf gunsmith of he'll do more damage than good. Every time a Parker's screws get turned something is lost.

Then again...if you are concerned still I'd recommend finding a guy who can measure the wall thickness of the barrels. That's probably the one area where an unknown gun could have an issue that is hidden to the naked eye.

A barrel micrometer and a barrel wall thickness gauge are about $90.00 each. Most gunsmiths don't even own them or know how to use them. However, you should own them and know how to use them.

Thanks gentlemen. I do have a few boxes of the RST light loads on the way. I will have to put a set of barrel, chamber and choke gauges on the Christmas list since this affliction doesn't seem to be letting up anytime soon.

I wish I had known all this before I shot cases of Federal , Remington and Winchester loads through my old Parkers, both fluid steel and Damascus. I would have been worried.

Here is what some believe is a heavy load.

Although Mr. Day shoots heavy loads through HIS Parkers and fortunately has done no damage to the guns...yet remember this, your gun is over 100 years old and if it's been properly taken care of you will be fine. THE WOOD is also over 100 years old and as a natural product it has a tendency to become oil soaked especially at the head of the stock. using heavy modern loads can weaken the stock causing it to split. You have a light gun there and a wonderful combination of 16ga and the 0 frame. Shoot the proper load for today in your gun like the RST 7/8 or even 3/4oz loadings and you'll break targets and take your share of birds. Properly taken care of your gun will outlast you.