PARKER CHOKE
Meriden Parker choke usually begins about 4 inches before the muzzle, and is about a few thousandths at 2 - 2 1/2 inches before the muzzle where the taper steepens. The choke was cut from the breech forward, and has an ogee curve that cannot be duplicated by reaming from the muzzle.
Parker's orders came from Bridgeport after the DuPont takeover, and there were probably more orderbook entries scrambled than before. There was a backlog of Parker guns, and Remington directed the shop not to start guns if it were possible to deliver from inventory. It is not improbable that barrels were swapped to fill orders.
If you can get access to a Stan Baker bore gauge, (or other) measure the bore at 1/4 inch intervals from 4 inches behind the muzzle to the muzzle; a distinct ogee curve will appear in a Meriden full choke. With a little practice, it is possible to feel this choke with a set of inside calipers; set the calipers to just drag at - 4 inches and pull them out slowly.
The streamer attached is an original Carrie Stevens Grey Ghost, laying on a 43 year old photo of itself. Both have been stored in the same envelope for that time. Note the photo has faded more than the streamer
Best, Austin
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