Identification and Value Family Heirloom

[Harry Collins]

The gun was made in 1882 and should sport 12 gauge 32" barrels. Guns of that era had oversized bores for the most part. Likely in the .752 range rather than the now standard US size of .729. If you measure the muzzles for constriction add about .020 for a good approximation.
Harry

[olivermoore]

That's interesting. Do ou know why the larger bore?
Also can you reco9mmend a source for shells appropriate for this Parker?
Oliver

[Drew Hause]

Oliver. Your family treasure has seen extensive use and is 136 years old. Please do not consider using the gun, with ANY load, until it has been evaluated by a double gun specialist, with particular attention to the barrels; pitting, wall thickness, etc. There are many Texas PGCA members, and one should be able to recommend a smith near you.

[olivermoore]

Drew, thank you for your caution. However, as I mentioned in my first post my Parker was sent to Griff8in & Howe for inspection and service as required. It was returned as ok for shooting. The bores, as earlier mentioned, are shiny without pitting or scuffs. The barrels have no imperfections.
I have full confidence in G&H.
You may not be familiar with G&H which was founded in 1923 and is considered one of the most preeminent gunsmiths in America, if not the world. For, instance G&H makes custom sporting rifles from scratch!
Paul Chapman is head gunsmith at Griffin & Howe, leading a team of seven. He is, according to the company historian, the “personification of Griffin & Howe.” Recently he made a series of six guns for the Safari Club anniversary in calibers ranging from .22 Hornet to .416 Rigby, the set worth around $350,000. “Today in the high-end market, you’ll see a lot more engraving, a lot more bling,” says Chapman. “The old Purdeys and Holland & Hollands were understated and subtle guns. But since the mid 1950s, you’re seeing more ornate guns with bright finishes instead of case-color hardening.”

The store is still slammed with work—more so now that they are producing a high-tech line of long-distance rifles on Griffin & Howe chassis-style stocks. The rifles are designed with the close involvement of marksmanship instructor Eli Stulmacher, a former Navy SEAL sniper.

“There’s still a clientele for a hand-built gun,” says Chapman, “even though a lot of this generation doesn’t want well-made, hand-me-down furniture. They want new. They want IKEA. But we can work on and repair anything that we’ve sold, and we can fabricate parts like hammers, springs, pins, and screws. That’s what made us famous.”

Oliver

[Drew Hause]

I apologize for my confusion, but if Griffin & Howe indicated the gun was "safe to shoot", did they not indicate with what load?
Shiny barrels in a 136 year old gun with that degree of use almost always indicate previous honing. To give advice regarding a load, it is necessary to know the chamber length, and wall thickness at the end of the chamber and every inch of the first 12" of barrel, and MWT (and where). Were those numbers provided by G&H?
No criticism of G&H, or your gun, but things like this happen with vintage doubles