Chokes

[William Woods]

Today I was shown an 1890 Parker "P" grade 12 gauge gun with twist steel barrels. The serialization book shows the barrels as having been 30" when it left the facory, they are currently 29" long.

My brass choke gauge shows no choke in either barrel. With having only one inch removed from the barrels, would all choke have been removed?

I have read that some Parkers have very long chokes. Would this have been an open choked gun to begin with?

Thanks for replies.

[SXS OHIO]

I would measure the bores with an internal gauge and get a better idea of what you have. SXS Ohio

[Dean Romig]

Yes, get a digital bore gauge to determine the length of the chokes and to find the amount of constriction at the muzzles compared to say, 6 or 7 inches into the bores. I used to use one of those brass drop-in gauges and find them to be virtually useless on these old guns.





.

[Bill Murphy]

A full choke Parker in that era would measure cylinder bore with a "brass choke gauge". They were normally 11 gauge barrels, bored at .740 or close to that.

[William Woods]

Any recommendations on a bore gauge?

[Researcher]

Parker Bros. guns were seriously over-bore back in the 1880s and 1890s. Chamberlin Cartridge Co. loaded special cartridges for Parker Bros. guns with 11-gauge wads in the 12-gauge shells or 9-gauge wads in the 10-gauge shells.

1886-7 page 6 Parker Load Highlighted.jpg

My 1889 Quality GH 12-gauge had bores that measure .757-inch.

[Stan Hillis]

Originally Posted by William Woods

Any recommendations on a bore gauge?

I have owned two Skeet's bore gauges for many years now, able to cover all my needs except for .410. I've never found any issue with them. They are very repeatable if you use them with a bit of care.

There may be better gauges made for the purposes of bore and choke measuring, but I have no need for anything any more accurate, or expensive.

[Dean Romig]

Originally Posted by William Woods

Any recommendations on a bore gauge?

It's odd that Galazan has stopped advertising them and Brownell's only lists as "out of stock" the $700.00 model.

But there are plenty of models to choose from on the Skeets website.





.

[Phil C]

Dean can you post a link to SKEETS web site? I was not aware Dean had one.

[Dean Weber]

For a quality bore micrometer/gauge, try Gary Bulley.
https://www.theunloader.com/