GH just arrived...

[Andy]

Thank you Alfred! I enjoy "the hunt" as they say. So in this case, with the proper serial number, would that mean it was likely a factory barrel replacement? This is what confuses me. I imagine some gnarly dude in a dimly lit basement with a light bulb and dripping water forging fake Parker barrels for idiots like me... I'll order the research letter

[edgarspencer]

Most people that go to the trouble and expense of having a non original set of barrels fitted, also have the barrels re-stamped to match the gun. by 'non-original, I mean Genuine Parker barrels. Some think it's misleading, or unethical. I don't, and feel its appropriate the barrels be marked to the gun the are meant to fit, whether Parker Brothers or not.
With the exception of the small bores, 28 and .410, and to some degree, 20ga, there are plenty of orphaned barrels out there, and companies such as Krieghoff, Hambrusch, and others, have made barrels.