A Second Marriage

C.O.B. · 05-07-2013, 09:06 AM

Parker #74256 is a GH O frame 16ga and was ordered through Simmons Hardware in St Louis, MO in 1892 with two sets of Damascuss barrels in 28inch and 32 inch lengths. The gun was shipped to a Robert Willis & Taylor in Sherman Texas. It was returned to Parker in 1910 by Mr. Vernon Taylor of Sherman, Tx to rebrown both sets of barrels and recondition the entire gun.

Parker #97372 is also a GH 16 O frame damascuss that left the factory in 1900 with 28 inch bbls. I don't have much information on this one. I bought this from a PGCA member who got it from another member who got it off Gun Broker if memory serves. One of the PGCA members had Dale Edmonds refinish the barrels. When I got it she was loose as a Goose and you could see daylight between the water table and barrel flats. The finish was bad and the checkering worn. I had the gun put back on face and gave the wood a facelift.

I bought the 32 inch damascuss barrels that were once a part of #74256 along with two splinter forarms. The forarms had no metal. What became of this and why the metal was seperated from the wood will undoubtly remain a mystery. The barrles were purchased from the forum through a gentalman in northern MN who got them from an estate sale. There was no mention of the gun or the 28 inch barrels. Brad Batchelder fitted the 32 inch set to my gun and filed down forarm iron form a PH to fit the O frame. All thats left to do now is refinish the 32 inch set of barrles and the two bbl set is complete though not as how Parker intended it but it's better than nothing.

charlie cleveland · 05-07-2013, 09:22 AM

looks like the marriage is gonna last a long time too me...a beautiful gun and with those really desireable 32 inch barrels... charlie

Pa SxS · 05-07-2013, 09:27 AM

Great looking gun Rich!

Brush Buster · 05-07-2013, 09:54 AM

Rich ,Great looking Gun ! Don't you love it when a good plan all comes together !

Russ

gman · 05-07-2013, 02:04 PM

Nice guns!
Like most folks I keep an eye out for another 16 gauge and see the 0 frame as being very desirable. I find the # 1 frame to fit me very well and I have always thought the 16 ga. guns I've shot to be some of the best patterning of any guns particularly with a 1oz. load which I really like for many things. I was wondering if the small 0 frame gun is a little light for the 1 oz. charge. It is to me a hard hitting load.
I'm just curious as to folks thoughts - it is though a moot point if I never find a good 0 frame 16 for sale.
Thanks

Dean Romig · 05-07-2013, 03:45 PM

I shoot a few of those 0-frame sixteens with composit barrels and shoot a 1 oz. load too but I always shoot RST (very kind to old guns) ammo in my Parkers.

C.O.B. · 05-07-2013, 03:59 PM

I reload my 16's in a 2 1/2 inch case (RST) and ech what Dean says about them. If you use a low pressure load such as the RST there is virtually no felt recoil and it's kind to the gun as well. Thers no harm using them in a one frame 16 either

gman · 05-07-2013, 04:22 PM

Thanks.
I really like the RST products also. Going to spring for the Nice shot loads on the ducks this fall.
G

C grade · 05-07-2013, 06:18 PM

Rich
Nice project and great gun. All this time I thought you were just another pretty face! I really like shooting the O frame 16"s with RST's 7/8 oz. I am shooting the US Open double gun next week with a D grade 16 hammer and no matter the score will have a great time!! Fortunately, I am shooting with Dr.
"Humble John" Truit and will bask in his glory.
David