New member New gun

[Wild Skies]

Originally Posted by Mark Nethery

So here’s the firing pin center to center...1 1/16, making it a 1 frame. It helps when you have your glasses on and measuring with a set of calipers.

***snip***

Didn't the original poster tell us, after re-measuring, that it's a 1-frame?

[MarkN]

John Davis...Thanks!

[Joe from MO]

I am a relatively new member to this forum, less than a year. I read way more than I write on here. One thing I have noticed though, people like Brian Dudley know more about Parker guns than anyone I've seen, details that most of us will never even notice.

If he says, have your gun checked out, it's probably a good idea to do so.

I wouldn't take any of the comments made as anything more than truthful opinions. Sometimes, they may not be what a person wants to hear or read.

If you are very happy with your gun, then that is really all that matters. But from what I read here, the comments were truthful comments based on what was observed, and nothing more. I wouldn't be upset about that.

I mentioned this when I first joined, I made the mistake of putting a Siler lock on a Southern Mountain flintlock I made, and posted pics of it on the American Longrifles site. I still have rug burn over that one, cause any idiot knows you don't put a Germanic lock on a Southern Mountain rifle. :-)

Live and Learn. Welcome to the site!

[winplumber]

Mark you stated in your post " Any other thoughts are appreciated " so I guess you didnt mean to say that as the information you received you cant appreciate . The people are being honest with their information and Not trying to slam your gun .

[MarkN]

Not to drag this out but when a new member asks a question, seeks thoughts & opinions it would go a lot further if comments received were constructive, as opposed to buggered, poorly restored, etc...keep in mind everyone is proud of their latest purchase, whether its a museum piece or a piece of crap.

I've got thick skin, someone else might not. We've got a saying around here, "Never talk bad about another man's dog." There should be a caveat substituting gun for dog.

I came to this group to learn more about this gun and its history. I like the gun, its what I wanted. I'll proudly carry and shoot it for what it is, a piece of American firearms history and it will stand in the cabinet next to my LeFevers, Foxes, Sterlingworths, Springfields, Spanish & Italian guns.

I'm thankful for the input and have learned a lot and confirmed a lot, for that I thank you all.

So tomorrow I'll start my morning with a cup of black coffee, gather my gear, my new Parker and be off to quail hunt.

I'd say wish me luck but I'm shooting a Parker now. Say Goodnight Gracie.

[John Davis]

I would take Brian’s advice and get those barrels checked out before I started running shells through her.

[BRDHNTR]

Mark, listen to Brian Dudley and John Davis. Don't shoot that 16 till you have a competent gunsmith check it out.

[B. Dudley]

Someones angst seems to be directed towards my comments about having the barrels looked at. And in regards to the fact that the whole gun has been fully restored, and rather poorly. Well, I will say that was my way of a addressing YOUR statements that you did not know if the gun was a safe queen or restored. I answered your question that you did not know the answer to. And saying you should get the barrels looked at is because they are very obviously hot caustic salt blued. Which, allow me to educsted you on, is BAD for doubleguns because the temperatures needed for this process can and usually will soften and compromise the solder joints of the ribs. Resulting in loosened ribs, and rusting between the tubes inside the barrel set. Not to mention it also looks like crap.

I did not say anything about why you would buy a gun not even knowing what gauge it was. That is a good question though. And, the frame size should be stamped right on the bottom lug of the barrels. To answer another question of yours.

I am sorry that I, and others, have not told you what you WANTED to hear. If you like the gun, then fine. That is all that matters. There is a butt for every seat.

[Tom Flanigan]

Originally Posted by Brian Dudley

.... And saying you should get the barrels looked at is because they are very obviously hot caustic salt blued. Which, allow me to educsted you on, is BAD for doubleguns because the temperatures needed for this process can and usually will soften and compromise the solder joints of the ribs. Resulting in loosened ribs, and rusting between the tubes inside the barrel set. Not to mention it also looks like crap.

Not to disagree with Brian, he has a lot more experience and expertise than I do, but those barrels might not have been caustic salt blued, in my opinion. They could have been done by the Belgian type of blue which is not intrusive. Belgian type blues are darker and shinier than slow rust bluing.

I noticed that the barrels are pretty much soaked with oil. This could result in the shiny and dark appearance. The pictures may not be perfect which could also create a false impression. I believe that we need the barrels in hand to definitively identify the method of bluing.

The case colors do not mimic Parker colors but aren’t bad. It’s hard for me to imagine that someone who has the expertise to case color a gun would salt blue the barrels of a double.

Just my thoughts.

As far as the gun, a 16 bore 0 frame is nothing to sneeze at. They make great game guns. I wish I owned one. Enjoy yours Mark and welcome to the Parker community.

[MarkN]

Thank you gentlemen. Any concerns with the barrels have been addressed earlier today. A clean bill of health was received.