Justin, although I am not a gunsmith and have never personally blued barrels , I have a friend who is, and I have watched his process with Parker and other fine double barrels many times. The problem is not popping off ribs due to air expansion when boiling, the problem is seepage under the rib which would stay there and rust unless drained. For Meriden Parkers, there is no need to drill an extra hole after the barrels are done to drain them, the sight bead is removed during re-browning and and any seepage is drained through that hole. For Illion Parkers, they were made with a drain hole adjacent the barrel lump, an extra drain hole if you will, and that suffices. Some gunsmiths will drill a hole there in Meriden barrels and then plug it with a small lead shot pellet, then cold blue over it. A good gunsmith who regularly refinishes Parker barrels is Dale Edmunds at 816 444 2040, and conversation with him may be helpful.
Sincerely, Bruce Day ( Parker non expert)
|