Barrel composition of pre 1900 Parkers

[Kensal Rise]

Your barrel questions seem to include a subtle concern for relative safety. As BD has well explained, the composition or name on the barrels (rib) is of more marketing value than insurance against bursting with stout loads.

In all older doubles, the primary concern with barrels should be pits and wall thickness after honing. With barrels that still have relatively safe walls, there is little worry no matter what the name of the steel used may be.

[Dean Romig]

Originally Posted by John Campbell

The composition or name on the barrels (rib) is of more marketing value than insurance against bursting with stout loads.

I think this statement may be the case for the majority of fluid pressed steels in the Meriden days... with the exception of Whitworth Steel imported from England to be used only on the finest of Parkers.

Refer to Charlie Price's article in the 2013 Autumn Issue of Parker Pages.