Chamber length

[Neil Richardson]

Hi

I have a 12 ga Trojan made in 1921.

In the Serialization book pg 46 it says in 1920 the standard 12 ga was 2.5"

I have a research letter but it doesn't reference chamber length.

When did Parker start making 12 ga chambers for 2 3/4" shells?

Specifically, would my Trojan be 2 1/2" or 2 3/4"?

thanks for any info.

Neil

[Autumn Daze]

Neil, Your 12 gauge Trojan will be chambered 2 5/8" and you can use 2 3/4" shells in it. Parker chambered their guns 1/8" shorter for use with paper shotshells. This created a better gas seal. Before shooting have the bores and barrel wall thickness checked by a good double gunsmith.

[Dean Romig]

I agree with Dave. I started shooting Parkers in 1961 with a 12 ga. Trojan. The 12 ga. Trojan was built on a 2 Frame and is quite capable of digesting 2 3/4" shells with reasonable loads. Magnum loads are not necessary and could crack your stock.

[Researcher]

Very likely your 12-gauge Trojan left Meriden with 2 5/8 inch chambers, intended for 2 3/4 inch shells.

[Neil Richardson]

Thanks for the information. I definitely want to shoot the gun.

As a new owner of a Parker I'm enjoying learning about their history. I enjoy guns, history and technical stuff, so Parkers fit the bill!

I ordered The Parker Story and it has been shipped but hasn't arrived yet; I'm looking forward to reading it.

thanks,

Neil

[ahfoxman]

Good Morning Neil and Welcome,

You had better lay in a good supply of sipping booze; as The Parker Pages are a long and rewarding read, just the thing to pass those cold winter days north of the border. And, if you are like most of us here, your copies will end up dog-eared in no time. Ha, it only takes one Parker to start the ball rolling, and I will bet you a Maker's Mark it won't be your last. You do know, many think that is is criminal, here in the lower 48, to swat Grouse with a big bore. Poor devil, now I have planted the seed! Oh, as an aside, when I do use a 12 bore in the Pat woods, I shoot factory trap loads, 1 oz of 8's (Lites) in the early season and 1 1/8oz. of 7 1/2's in the choked side in the late season. The hard target shot gets the job done just fine. Good Luck!

[Dean Romig]

Neil, did you order both Vol. I and Vol. II of The Parker Story ?

[BRDHNTR]

A good single malt (prefer highland malts) goes well with the reading of these tomes. THey make for a fascinating read and you will be surprised with a new nugget of information on the Parker's business with each turn of the page. It is well worth the taking out the second mortage on these two volumes.

[Neil Richardson]

Dean, yes, I ordered both volumes (from the Doublegunshop)........I'm hoping they arrive this week. This coming weekend being a three day one, I need some good new reading material.

I've got and read: Muderlak's book, Johnson's book, Baer's book, and the Serialization book.

Are there any other good Parker books?

Neil

[Dean Romig]

I presume you refer to Muderlak's Parker Guns the "Old Reliable".

Other books by Muderlak and others that discuss the Parker shotgun are more 'story books' mostly based on fact but with some author's opinion sprinkled in.