Parker 1/2 frames

[B. Dudley]

Chuck,

When you reference the marks in the stock book, are you in fact speaking of actual stamped marks? Or hand written marks.

In the writing of my article that touched on this topic, it was confirmed that they were hand writing in 1/2 as an abbreviation for 1-1/2 (in the mid-late 1920s). Whereas in later books they actually used a 1-1/2 stamp.

[James L. Martin]

Photo of 1/2 Mark on GH 12ga, gun made in 1899 on a 1 frame, barrel by Remington with a repair code OJ3 July 1940.

[Pa SxS]

Dean, I can't read the frame size on the Meriden barrels, just a 12 is visable for gauge. The Remington barrels have a large 1/2 stamp. I took digital measurements on 1/2 frame dimensions and they are amazingly accurate.

Brian, you are right, I was wrong. The format used for the stock books changed from a horizontal to a vertical format starting with stock book # 75. All the stock books prior to stock book # 75 did not list frame sizes. Stock book books 81 and 82 used stamps and they show the 1 1/2 rubber stamp markings. Stock books 75,76,78, and 79 have the frame sizes written in by hand. See the example. All the guns listed in the stock books were well prior to the 1/2 frame being introduced so where you see the handwritten 1/2, it really is 1 1/2.