Parker 28 gauge photos - original (I believe)

[Bill Murphy]

I would guess the weight stamp is actually a poorly stamped 2-12.

[Wayne Dow]

Originally Posted by Bill Murphy

I would guess the weight stamp is actually a poorly stamped 2-12.

Thanks, Bill, an interesting thought. It's a surprise to me to learn that there could be such a range of barrel weights coming out of the factory. Would a customer have been able to order a lighter gun, or was it more random than that? What was the weight range on 28's? Maybe Charlie knows.

In this case, I weighed the bbls at 2-2 1/4 after Big D's question, and the attached close-up doesn't reveal a faulty strike, so I think 2-2 is the correct stamp.

[Dean Romig]

Originally Posted by Bill Murphy

I would guess the weight stamp is actually a poorly stamped 2-12.

That was a thought I had too Bill - I just wasn't ready to say it... there is absolutely no evidence of a 1 stamp next to the 2 which would make it a 12.





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[Bill Murphy]

Wayne, is your gun a 00 frame gun with dished out areas in the water table of the action? We have not seen a picture of that area and the frame size marking seems (to my old eyes) to be 00. Descriptions of orders in the Parker order books for 28 gauges usually say from nothing to "light as possible". Actual guns are usually six pounds or a very few ounces less. There doesn't seem to be a lot of difference in 0 frame and 00 frame in standard field guns. Read the article on early 28 gauges in the Parker Pages. I believe the author was Dave Suponski. Some of the research material for that article came from the Parker records, and some came from other sources.

[Wayne Dow]

Thank you, Bill. I'm getting a much-needed lesson from very generous and knowledgable members on this site, as I'd hoped. The attached photos show the 00 frame and the water table.

This gun weighs 2-2 + 2-14 + 6 = 5-6, assuming my kitchen scale is accurate, which I believe it is.

I'll read Dave Suponski's article. Thank you for the lead.

[Autumn Daze]

Wayne, Enjoy the article. Much of my research came from Mr. Murphy