Another hint that Parker made their own barrels

[Tim Sheldon]

If they did, wouldn't the evidence be overwhelming? I'd say the Damascus guns came from Belgium, maybe some of the Fluid Steel Guns came in from local companies that Parker Bros. partnered with or set up some sort of business relationship so that legally they could market the barrels as being made by Parker Bros. Just an idea, shoot'en from the hip.

Tim

[Drew Hause]

W.A. King said they did in 1912

The testimony of W.A. King representing the Parker Gun Co.

http://books.google.com/books?id=QDk...&lr=#PPA893,M1

Mr. King. I can speak only for our own company in so far as wages go. For instance, on the question of barrels, Mr. Hunter informed your committee that some years ago some of the manufacturers of this country attempted to make barrels. We made some barrels: we built an addition to the factory, put in some up-to-date machinery, and brought some men from Belgium to show our blacksmiths how to do it. Wo had to pay our blacksmiths not less than 32 cents an hour, up to 40 cents, and we gave it up, because the highest wages paid the Belgian blacksmiths for exactly the same grade of barrel are 11 cents per hour. That is what is paid to the highest-priced man employed.

Senator Smoot. In Belgium ?

Mr. King, In Belgium: yes, sir. That is where all of our barrels are imported from, with the exception of our very high-grade Whipple steel barrels. (?transcription error?)

Senator Lodge. Those are rough-bored barrels.

Mr. King. Rough-bored only.

The Chairman. Do you make any barrels at all?

Mr. King. We make no barrels whatever.

[Drew Hause]

And at least one back action lifter had barrels made in Birmingham



I am of the opinion (which is worth little) based on the transition from 3 Iron "Oxford" to 4 and 6 Iron "Turkish" on Grade 3 and up guns, that lifter damascus barrels were from England and top lever barrels were from Belgium.