Early 28 Gauge Production

[Researcher]

Originally Posted by Craig Haberthy

In the book 'Best Guns' by Michael McIntosh (copyright edition 1999), on page 8 (5th paragraph) it says "... in 1905, Parker built the first hammerless doubles in America chambered in 28-gauge." Those actually started out in 2 1/2" cartridge size.

Just because it is in print doesn't make it true.

[Kevin McCormack]

Originally Posted by edgarspencer

I have a 28 that was made in 1900, and I believe there was one made in 1899.
94373 was made in 1900 also.

Craig wrote:

"In the book 'Best Guns' by Michael McIntosh (copyright edition 1999), on page 8 (5th paragraph) it says "... "in 1905, Parker built the first hammerless doubles in America chambered in 28-gauge."

As they say in PA Dutch country, "Edgar hat recht; Craig nichts besonders..." If missing 'book' dates & entries are interpolated correctly against SN chronology, the very first Parker 28 ga. built (a Damascus barrel Grade 5!) was built either in very late (e.g., November or December) 1899 or in January of 1900. Attempting to definitively document an exact production date absent the "missing books" is akin to predicting the movement of hurricanes in the Atlantic using the US vs. the European models.

[edgarspencer]

Originally Posted by Kevin McCormack

Attempting to definitively document an exact production date absent the "missing books" is akin to predicting the movement of hurricanes in the Atlantic using the US vs. the European models.

Wanna bring that up with a certain 5'2" woman with a Graduate degree in Applied Meteorology (Emphasis on Tropical Storms and Hurricanes)

Originally Posted by Craig Haberthy

In the book 'Best Guns' by Michael McIntosh (copyright edition 1999), on page 8 (5th paragraph) it says "... in 1905, Parker built the first hammerless doubles in America chambered in 28-gauge." Those actually started out in 2 1/2" cartridge size.

Darn that Research Director. I hope he doesn't have to pay back those vast sums collected on research letters for the over 100 28ga guns The Parker Story claims were made from 1900 to 1905.

[Pa SxS]

Edgar, I'll return your money in exchange for the gun

[edgarspencer]

Nah, It's obviously a fake. I'll just scrap it.

[JWH]

I was wondering if the was any counts on how many 28 gauges were built on "O" frames ? I'd love to track down how many 0 Frame VH 28 gauges were made with 28" barrels.

I had read somewhere that when the 28-gauge was introduced; they were built on the 20-gauge 0-frames. Parker most likely took a bunch of 20-gauge guns that were languishing in inventory, fitted them with 28-gauge barrels and moved some inventory.

Later adding the 00-frame with a 15/16 inch firing pin spacing for a lighter weight 28-gauge then the early guns. Then in 1926, they introduced the 000-frame with a 13/16 inch spacing for the .410-bore.

[JWH]

I spoke with Larry Delgrego and when asked how many 0 frame VH 28 gauges where made he said it's either 14 or 19 total.

It wasn't clear if that number was for VH grades specifically and or specifically with 28" barrels.

He also mentioned it was an ongoing family debate weather the total number was 14 or 19, so it sounded like a topic well covered in his shop previously.

IMG_6757.jpg

[Reggie B]

I think there is a lot more than 14 or 19 0 frame 28 gauges out there. I have seen more 0 frame 28 gauges than 00 frames. I don't have a ton of experience with 28 gauge Parkers, I have owned 4 and only one of the four was a 00 frame.

[JWH]

Originally Posted by Reggie Bishop

I think there is a lot more than 14 or 19 0 frame 28 gauges out there. I have seen more 0 frame 28 gauges than 00 frames. I don't have a ton of experience with 28 gauge Parkers, I have owned 4 and only one of the four was a 00 frame.

Thanks for the info, it sounds like he meant "0" frame 28 gauge VH's. Weather or not he was specifically noting ones with 28" inch barrels I'll have to follow up with him.

[James L. Martin]

Somewhere I saw 275 as the number of 0 frame 28ga guns ,can't remember where. 0 frame 28ga guns where made for approx. 12 years, that would be about 23 a year from 1900 to 1912. For what's it worth, I doubt anyone knows for sure.