ODD Barrel lengths
 

I would like to know if there has ever been any documented Parker barrel lengths such as 26 1/2, or 36 1/4 for example.

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I have an order in my fiiles for a 26 1/2" barrel Parker. It is the only one I remember seeing. I have not seen the stock book entry for that order, nor have I seen the gun.

Wasn't it more common for there to be odd original lengths on earlier (hammer) guns? If I remember correctly, there was a some early processes or equipment that resulted in barrel ends getting damaged from time to time and they would clean them up, thus having them be shorter.

Either way, I do not think that Parker actually recorded the odd lengths, if manufacturing resulted in such. Maybe Mr. Bishop or Mr. Conrad could tell us more if odd lengths are listed.

I have recently purchased a 10 gauge with 36 1/4" Special steel ejector barrels. I will take some pictures and post the end of the barrels later today.

I seem to recall a Fred Kimble gun that was ordered with 31- or 33-inch barrels.

The barrels can touch at the ends for up to several inches, it all depends on how they were constructed.
The rib matting will also tell you more. It will usually terminate before the end of the rib. Though the matting going all the way to the end is not always a sure sign of cut barrels, it is at least an indication of it.
If your matting does terminate before the end of the rib, I would say the length is original.

I once owned 106312 , It was cataloged as the only 25 " Barreled 28 Ga. D Grade ,A very nice gun and felt nice in hand ,BUT ,I just had to have that 410 ! Also ,I have owned a couple of 29" VH , one DH 16 W/ Vulcan Barrels and two 27" Barreled guns that lettered also ,One D Grade 16, and a VH Grade ! Every one of them had the Blank space at the end of the Matting ,Barrels touched and all still had their Barrel Keels ! Best ; Russ

I thought we were discussing original fractional inch barrels. There are many odd length Parkers in non fractional lengths. I will try to find the order for the 26 1/2" gun.

OK, here is the order for the 26 1/2" gun. Order #66312, November 12, 1896, for DH #85,461. Mr. A.B.F. Kinsey or Kinney, Worcester, Mass. ordered a 12 gauge DH with 26 1/2" Damascus "Nice Match" barrels. The gun was ordered at 6 1/2 pounds, 3" drop, 14" length of pull. He asked for a "nice stock" with pistol grip. Do any of us own that unusual little DH? This gun is listed in the Serialization Book as a DH 26" capped pistol grip gun.