Tell me about monoblocking?

King Cobb · 08-01-2016, 12:05 AM

Someone please explain what monoblocking a parker means and what the good points and bad points are? Is it safe to shoot a monoblocked hammerless gun? I imagiNE so from the posts I have read about monoblocked guns but I am not certain on any of the aspects.

Thanks for the education as always!

Bill Zachow · 08-01-2016, 07:30 AM

Mono blocking and sleeving are two terms that basically mean the same thing when referring to repairing a Parker's barrel assembly. When a Parker's barrels are damaged beyond safe use, a competent smith can cut those barrels off in front of the chambers. The chamber part is called the monoblock. The smith would then ream out the chambers enough to receive new barrels, complete with new chambers--sleeving. The new barrels are inserted into the monoblock and permanently affixed with silver solder. After dressing off the outside joint where the barrels meet the monoblock, the ribs are attached and the barrels finished. Assuming the job was done by a competent smith, the barrels are safe. Many cheaper Italian and Turkish double are built originally with monoblocks. You can tell this by the visible line or engraved line on the barrels just in front of the chambers.

Bill Murphy · 08-01-2016, 09:17 AM

Cheaper Italian guns like over $100,000 SO Grade guns by Beretta.

B. Dudley · 08-01-2016, 10:25 AM

If done properly, the reault is a good shootable gun with no safety concerns.

The things to look for is the quality of the sleeve joint, a very good one will be very hard to see. The quality of the tube striking. And the quality of the rib re-lay. If any of these things are off, the overall job will be a poor one. Also, the work at the breech end must be good as well.

Regulation of the tubes and point of aim can be a concern as well, but it is not as important of an issue as it is with a double rifle.

Usually sleeving means stepping down a gauge (ie: 16 to 20). Which can result in a balance issue since the barrels will weight more after than before. If the same length tubes are used.
Same gauge sleeving can be done, but that is where wall thickness at the breech end is very important.

Obviously originality is blown when barrels are sleeved, so you are left with a shooter and nothing more. But it is a great way to save a blown or otherwise junk set of barrels.

Unfortunately, a lot of perfectly good damascus guns were sleeved years ago.

Fishtail · 08-01-2016, 11:34 AM

It's a crying shame when a man spending even $100K can't get the Italians to build him a proper gun. It's no better than the time I bought a new Rolls Royce and found out it had a Chevy transmission.

King Cobb · 08-01-2016, 12:17 PM

It's a 1904 CHE I am waiting to get a look at. It is 12ga with screw in Tru chokes and has been monoblocked. The individual who is sending it to me is extremely knowledgeable and has assisted me in the past. He came across it recently and knew I was wanting a C. He says it is in great condition and would be that perfect quail gun for me. I certainly like the price he has it at, but wanted to verify what monoblocking meant and am waiting to see the gun. It falls in the year range for possible rondell engraving but we shall see when I see the gun.