BH 87337 what to do with it?? - Page 4

Mills · 03-10-2015, 02:40 PM

"Duct tape won't fix that" Said no Southerner ever.

I have an E Grade lifter with a terribly cracked stock that was fixed by duct tape. It is not too pretty, but will do until I get some other projects out of the way.

I am probably going to use Dean's method on my 8 gauge this weekend. The barrels on it are shiny and big

Bill Murphy · 03-10-2015, 03:32 PM

Donor guns are out there. I bought about three before I found a suitable set of barrels for my #3 frame World's Fair BH 10. I fell in love with every gun I bought and didn't return any of them, even though the barrels were not suitable. Who can resist "another #3 frame"? However, one gun had the barrels that fit and were in great condition. Now I will have two back ends that will work with the donor barrels. They will also work with the original 18" barrels, which I may have sleeved, maybe to 40". My retirement checks go directly to project guns. Nothing left over.

wayne goerres · 03-10-2015, 05:09 PM

I think even Charlie Cleavland would recommend Hose clamps, sheet metal and perhaps a little bailing wire.

Brush Buster · 03-10-2015, 07:53 PM

I think she's a Diamond in the rough ! All good suggestions so far ,If it were mine ,I would start cleaning the best parts , find a good set of barrels have them fit and think I had just STRUCK GOLD !!!!!!!!!!!!

Alfred Greeson · 03-10-2015, 07:53 PM

In defense of Southerners, I seem to recall seeing a Parker with a fairly new radiator clamp on it pictured on this forum and I immediately thought, "These guys are all right, you see that on better guns down south all the time!", and I thought duct tape was recognized as a standard repair method by the PGCA even though bailing wire works better in some cases.

Brush Buster · 03-10-2015, 08:03 PM

UhUH HUM I Beg Your Pardon but , Duct Tape is only considered to be the Proper repair on a Parker Brother's shotgun , providing it is an Expensive Roll of Duct Tape ,Applied by an even More Expensive Gun Smith

Brian H · 03-10-2015, 09:02 PM

Well I found solid steel at 21 1/2" so I have rare Wells Fargo BH coach gun now. At 22" I could push a screwdriver through the barrel.

I put all the parts back in the receiver and it locks up tight, cocks and fires. All the internal parts that have serial numbers were with the parts I received. If you have never been inside a B (I had not) everything is polished and finished to perfection, very nice! After a very close inspection the gun is not that bad!!!! and it is going to get brought back to its glory.
The bolsters need welded but the transition to the sides and tang will allow you to blend it.
The hinge pin area on the left needs welding and can be blended with the recess.
The upper tang needs welded and it can be blended.
The forearm iron and release would best be replaced and engraving duplicated.
The trigger guard needs welded and blended.
The face of the receiver will take somebody that can machine the repairs back to flat perfection. I think that will be a challenge.
The trigger plate is in great shape.

All in, it will be cheaper than any B on the shelf and a gun saved. Only 38 B's in 28" Damascus barrels is cool enough, besides it was probably a gift from the Pittsburg Pirates to Honus Wagner in his second season that will be brought out in the factory letter.

The toughest part of the project will be the 1 years in process. I will get the wood and barrel straightened out first and then get the receiver done later.
Any leads on barrels would be greatly appreciated!

Richard Flanders · 03-10-2015, 09:25 PM

Bravo Brian! Good on you and good luck with the project. I handled a very vintage pin fire double gun this past fall. The muzzle on one barrel had thinned so much from shooting that it had an ~3/16" hole in it.... and they just kept on shooting it! The barrels were never cut. The owner even has a few shells for it.

Mills · 03-11-2015, 09:46 AM

Good job Brian! I would use the barrel situation as an excuse to get some longer barrels for it. 30" or 32"

Alfred Greeson · 03-11-2015, 10:52 AM

Good for you on building it. If you end up with a nice set of short barrels and a good set of donor barrels, you will have a great BH. Saving one of that quality is a complement to every shooter who loves a side by side. Got to be one of the most worthwhile projects that you will ever undertake, what else are we here for anyway. Find the right guy who can do the metal work and is as excited about saving that gun as you are and away you go! Congrats on a great find, that gun has been waiting for years for you to come along. As one old collector said when asked why we love the old guns, he replied, "They harbor old men's souls", they aren't just old guns.