New Member to PGCA - Could use some help

[Brian Estano]

Good Morning,

I've stumbled across an old 1890 Grade 1 Parker Bros Shotgun Serial #62,046. I need to source a stock and barrel for this firearm, as the barrel was cut and the stock trimmed. I am looking to restore the firearm as closely as possible to the original manufacturer specifications.

It is either "N" or "M". Can't quite make it out.

Frame Size 3, 12 guage, with a "T" in a circle & 5lb 12oz stamped underneath.

The rib on the barrel just says "Parker Bros Makers. Meriden CONN. U.S.A.

The questions I have are:
-What kind of barrel do you think this firearm came with?
-Do I need to find a barrel off of a frame size 3 or can I use a barrel off of a frame size 2 with this receiver?
-Are stocks for the most part, interchangeable with minimum smithing?

Thank you for your help.

[mobirdhunter]

Originally Posted by Brian Estano

Good Morning,

I've stumbled across an old 1890 Grade 1 Parker Bros Shotgun Serial #62,046. I need to source a stock and barrel for this firearm, as the barrel was cut and the stock trimmed. I am looking to restore the firearm as closely as possible to the original manufacturer specifications.

It is either "N" or "M". Can't quite make it out.

Frame Size 3, 12 guage, with a "T" in a circle & 5lb 12oz stamped underneath.

The rib on the barrel just says "Parker Bros Makers. Meriden CONN. U.S.A.

The questions I have are:
-What kind of barrel do you think this firearm came with?
-Do I need to find a barrel off of a frame size 3 or can I use a barrel off of a frame size 2 with this receiver?
-Are stocks for the most part, interchangeable with minimum smithing?

Thank you for your help.

Brian, the gun is listed in the serialization book as a 10 gauge with 30 inch twist (plain twist) barrels. You would need to find barrels to match the frame size.

[B. Dudley]

Barrels are not interchangeable. All need fitting to work, some a LOT. You need to stsrt with barrels of the same frame size. There is absolutely no interchangeability between frame sizes. The same goes for stocks. They mist be at least from the same frame size. And after that, they are still all different as each gun is hand fitted/built. And the same goes for the forends.

Personally, you are wanting to get into quite an endeavor, that would be a labor of love. It would be wiser to let it be. Parts have to come from somewhere.

And it isnt always a good idea to post photos of your illegal barrels with receiver that they go onto and receiver on the internet...

[Brian Estano]

Mobirdhunter - Thank you for the information! This is extremely helpful as I can start the long process of finding a compatible barrel. I am following a few leads in Oklahoma and Arkansas, and your info aids me in sourcing such a barrel. Thanks for responding.

B. Dudley - My apologies. I was under the assumption that if the firearm was disassembled into individual firearm parts and rendered not functional, that it would not be illegal to own as taught from my training as a Massachusetts Firearms Instructor. If I have been trained incorrectly, please let me know immediately and I will have the barrel transferred to another location that legally permits short barrels until further research is concluded on the original part. The only reason I keep the damaged barrel is to appropriately match it for another era and material correct stock barrel, as my only intention is to restore this antique to manufacturer specifications; and any attempt to make the current configuration functional would not only be illegal, but also considered dangerous to life to the operator of the firearm.

Thank you for the information. Knowing now that the frame size must match stock and barrel will point me in the correct direction. Perhaps we can speak offline about the possibility of creating a stock for this receiver as I have noticed that you create custom stocks. I know of doing the wax impression of the breach and filing to fit; but beyond the head spacing, is there anything else I should be on the look out for when fitting for another barrel?

As stated, if I been trained incorrectly, or have been misinformed by my instructor, please let me know so I can reach out to the Certified NRA Instructor Trainer and Certified Massachusetts State Police Training Instructor and clarify the legality of this present situation to prevent any possible violation of current laws.