Cut or Original ??

[Randy Roberts]

My real interest in the gun lies in the fact that it is a PH 20 with documented 25 1/2" barrels thus I was seeking opinions on originality. I think the term rare would apply here. If the gun had more condition I would not hesitate given the rarity. At the end of the day I will most likely pass because of that lack of condition and it really does not fit my collecting DNA if you will. Really neat little gun though. Thanks for the replies Gentlemen

[Dean Romig]

Simply by the fact that it's a 1917 gun with what appear to be either Twist or Laminated barrels. At that time the only guns Parker normally produced with those barrels were the Grade 1 or PH guns.





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[Craig Budgeon]

Muzzles do not look flat, ivory bead is installed to far back , more soldier than keels, flat on top rib is easy to duplicate with 4oz. hammer and a half round file, barrels do not touch at the muzzle, and I have seen many Parker barrel lengths vary up to 1/8" but never 1/4".

[Craig Larter]

Randy that's original in my opinion. I own a 32 " gun that measures 31 3/4" and still has the termination line with a normal blank space. This gun was made in 1917 and maybe DD barrels were impossible to source due to WWI, so PB used what they had to finish a gun??

[Dean Romig]

Craig, I would tend to think DD barrels might be more abundant (in stock) due to the fact that Parker only used them on guns of grades 5 and above, though we know of a couple of grade 4’s with them.
Just my take on the DD’s, though granted, sourcing composite barrels from Europe at that time had just about ended.





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[Randy Roberts]

I have decided to pass on this gun. It is for sale on GB and can be seen via the link below. My interest was primarily the fact that it has factory 25 1/2" barrels but unfortunately it lacks condition. Maybe one of our members has a fancy for such a gun to chase birds with. Thanks for all the responses regarding the barrels, FWIW I believe the length to be original myself.

https://www.gunbroker.com/item/912634045

[Craig Budgeon]

Its a leap of faith to buy that gun. Without a letter from ChucK , I believe the gun had 26" barrels and were shortened to alter chokes or remove damage.

[Randy Roberts]

Originally Posted by Craig Budgeon

Its a leap of faith to buy that gun. Without a letter from ChucK , I believe the gun had 26" barrels and were shortened to alter chokes or remove damage.

Craig I can guarantee that the letter will show the gun as leaving Meriden with 25 1/2" barrels.

[Craig Budgeon]

Randy it seems strange to me that someone would take what appears to be a die grinder to eliminate the word Twist and the arrow following CONN. on the top rib. The matting in that same area appears to be badly worn or perhaps sanded. I remain skeptical.

[Randy Roberts]

Originally Posted by Craig Budgeon

Randy it seems strange to me that someone would take what appears to be a die grinder to eliminate the word Twist and the arrow following CONN. on the top rib. The matting in that same area appears to be badly worn or perhaps sanded. I remain skeptical.

I agree with you Craig, that just adds to the issues or concerns that this gun causes. Just a theory but I was thinking someone rust blued those barrels in an attempt to hide the pattern and then removed the type of steel from the rib with the grinder or Dremel tool. Probably way off base but it seems a plausible theory. I am not skeptical about the barrel length, just my opinion. But I understand the other side here as well.