The 1/2 frame has always been a subject of curiosity. Here is some highlight information on the 1/2 frame.
The frame size was developed in Meriden around 1930. This is based on surviving and dated factory drawings.
To our knowledge no Meriden manufactured (pre 1937) guns have been found made on the 1/2 frame.
There is no information that Remington actually manufactured any frames, so the belief is that a small run of the 1/2 frames were made in Meriden, but never used until after 1937 when Parker production was moved to Ilion, NY. Supply on 1 frames must have run low or out so the 1/2 frames were started to be used. This is based on the fact that very few 1 frame guns are found from Remington era.
PGCA member Craig Reynolds wrote an article in the Parker Pages about 4 years ago. He estimates that there were between 150 and 200 or so 1/2 frame guns made in Ilion.
Also, The Parker Story speculates that Serial number 226709, made in 1928, was an experimental 1/2 frame gun. This is not accurate. This number is experimental, but not a. 1/2 frame. For details on this gun, you can refer to an article I wrote in the Summer 2013 issue to The Double Gun Journal.
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B. Dudley
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