Gauge question
 

I just bought two old Parkers, one from 1901, which I'm pretty sure is a 16 gauge, and the other from 1899 that I think is a 12 gauge.

I placed a modern 20 gauge in the one I think is a 16 and it was too small, while a regular 12 gauge was too big, so 16 gauge it is, I'm assuming.

Now, on the one I think is a 12, the modern 12 gauge shell seemed loose in the chamber, yet when I tried to put a modern 10 gauge shell in the chamber it was too thick to fit. My question is, were the old 12 gauge shells a bit thicker around the turn of century, or were the 10 gauge possibly tighter? Do I have a 10 or 12? Going by the frame size, which is a 2, it could be either. If my dad can find his inside micrometers, I will have him take readings on everything, but what do you guys think the deal is with the gauge? By the way, the barrels are 24 & 5/8inches long from their tip to where they meet the receiver area with the firing pins.

Tonight, when I get home, I plan on posting threads about each of my Parkers with pics, but I just wanted some feedback first.

Thanks for any help or advice. I'm new to this.
Shane

There is frequent talk of 11 gauge guns by Parker. You should measure the chambers and bores of that 12. David

Shane if you post your serial numbers we could look them up in the serialization book and tell you what gage is listed there.

It does seem exactly between a 10 and a 12... hmm. I'll have to get my dad looking for his inside micrometers this evening. He's a retired machinist, so I'll leave it to him. I'd never heard of an 11 gauge before. Any links to pics of the shells or gun examples?

If this is an actual 11 gauge, how would that affect its value? This is making me wonder about the 16 gauge now. I don't have a 16 gauge shell to test it with. Maybe it's some odd gauge too?

I looked up measurements on a chart and then worked out what I think an 11 gauge should measure. Is this right?

10 ga= 19.69mm or 0.775in

11 ga= 19.11mm or 0.752in (???)

12 ga= 18.53mm or 0.729in

Thanks,
Shane

I'll have to post them later, as all the info is written down on a sheet of paper at home. I'm just checking in here when I get a break at work. I'd appreciate any info.

Thanks,
Shane

PS: Nice turkey, Larry. :)

Determining Gauge
 

Gauge is determined by chamber diameter in the US. A 12 ga chamber is nominally .810 diameter but might wear to a little larger diameter. Modern plastic cases have some taper near the mouth for easier feeding and may feel loose.

Best, Austin

Thanks, first with a Parker.

Shane - The dimensions you reference are nominal bore diameters, not chamber sizes. Masureing bore diameters can be tricky business. Your dad should be able to develop the chamber dimensions

Okay then, I'll just get you guys, who know what you're looking at, some chamber measurements. I'll put up a thread with pictures later tonight.

Thanks for all the help, everyone.

Shane

Okay, it's a 12 gauge. I didn't close the gun when I put the live 12 gauge shell in because it has an issue with the action. It was the taper of the plastic, as I got a fired shell and the brass fits in the chamber perfectly. My dad measured the chamber size at 0.812 on each barrel. The depth to the powder ring within the chamber was right at 2 1/2 inches.

I'm going to put two separate threads up with details and pictures soon; one for the 16 ga and one for the 12 ga.

Larry, since you asked here, the 16 ga SN is 105322 and the 12 ga is 93289.

I'm off to start the other threads...

Thanks,
Shane