New Member/Inherited Early 10ga.

[Jeffrey H. Smith]

Thank you all that have replied so far. I'll respond to your inquiries and work on getting more pics uploaded.

-I live in Virgil, NY about 10 miles South of Cortland

-I think the dog engravings are superior in anatomical accuracy to others I've seen. Some almost look "cartoonish" to me. This gun the dogs have proper posture, body conformation, head size proportion, expression and accurate settings. The Setter is very nice especially the black patch over the eye, signature marking and reminiscent of the dog I grew up with and hunted pheasant over as a kid with my Dad. The Golden retriever scene on bottom of trigger guard is one of the best scenes I've seen, looks almost like a
pintail in the dog's mouth, the marsh scene ,with the ducks overhead is very nice.

-I would be interested to see more engravings from this vintage and era that might be the same engraver if anyone might have something.

- As for DelGrego's I plan to call before going up. I thought maybe they could help me sort out and evaluate the gun and barrels for shoot ability at least. There is also some hairline cracks in the stock for them to look at. I can post pics of those eventually.

-I'm confused on the research letter, this website indicated there were factory records surviving on my gun, yet the Research Chairman posted that there was no order book information. So.... will it be worth requesting the research letter still?? I'm a little confused here.

- As for the ammo, my gun chamber measures 2 1/2" and the only ammo on theRST site is 2 7/8" length and $13/box. Can this be used in my gun? Otherwise, I did find 2 1/2" ammo on Buffalo Ammo Co. except these are $33/box. That's almost 3x's as much as the RST ammo. Any advise here??

Again, thank you for your posts and comments, I look forward to more dialogue with more pictures.

What a great forum of friendly knowledgeable people with a common interest willing to help . Thanks Again.

Jeffrey Smith

[Henry Verri]

Take a good look at the RST web site and their 10 gauge shells... you only get ten shells to a box.

[OH Osthaus]

Virgil - love the old school with the separate boys and girls entrances

great gun-

double check the chambers - for my British 2 5/8 inch 10- I cut down modern 10 gauge - and load on a mec 600 jr with a modified short kit - and roll crimp
you can still do that if its 2 1/2

i use load data from Peter's spread sheet - found here
http://parkerguns.org/forums/showthread.php?t=11403

many had a nitro card to take up room, leaving that out allows it to crimp fine

if you want to roll your own- we can help you - really makes the short ten fun to use when the cost is reasonable

[Pa SxS]

Jeff, I can't fully answer your question right now. I suggest reading the FAQ's by going to the home page and clicking on the FAQ link on the left, #34,54,55,56, it should answer your question.

[Jeffrey H. Smith]

I've attached a few more pics comparing the two barrel sets and forearms. There are some subtle differences in the engraving of the two forearms. This suggests a follow-up purchased of the second barrel which I suspect was the 30"

I am curious what size barrels were offered with these guns, especially lengths over 30". Does it look possible that this 30" was cut as well since the barrels don't "kiss" each other at the muzzle? And, oddly the barrels of the 23" DO "kiss" which was how I thought you determined barrel cuts.

And the barrel wall of the 23" is much thinner (and dented slightly) suggesting these were bored out (Open).

I also noticed the forearm of the thirty inch is slightly longer in length. You also can see the bead of the 23" very close to muzzle end.

Interesting to speculate what may have gone on here but seems the gun likely went back to Parker at some point. Sure would be nice if there were records and I read where a gun that was returned for work might be more likely to have a paper trail.

From what the Research Chairman posted, It doesn't sound like I'll get much?........ or should I order a Research letter anyway??

[Jay Oliver]

Someone on the forum may shoot the RST 2 7/8” in short chambers without any issues. Seems like at one time someone had told me(when I asked a similar question) that RST was coming out with 2 5/8” 10 Gauge shells at some point. You may want to call them. I have been very happy with the 2 7/8” 10 gauge shells(I try not to pay attention to the price) and variety of different 12 gauge shells from RST.

It may just be my opinion, but the Black Powder loads that Buffalo Arms sell seem a bit stout at 3.5 Drams and 1 1/4 oz. their 2 5/8’ shells were at 3 ¾ drams and 1/4oz.. I know the gun was built to take that, but for target shooting I think you could lighten up. I am just getting into loading black powder shells and for 10 Gauge I loaded up shells with 3 Drams and 1 1/8 oz. of shot(I haven’t had a chance to shoot these yet). You may want to look at loading 10 Gauge Brass shells, which you can do with hand tools and without a press. Midway USA has a few good videos on YouTube doing this that are worth watching.

That’s a beautiful gun you have and you’ll be able to shoot it soon.

Jay

[Jeffrey H. Smith]

I have attached a few more pictures of the SR# 4084, D-Grade, 10ga that I recently inherited.

-You'll see close up of barrel bolsters and hammers

- Also the underside of the breech showing the 4th dog engraving that appears to be a hound breed I think.

-The watertables are labeled for the 23" and 30" barrels. The 23" is stamped 5.6 and the 30" is stamped 414

-There are also some other markings on barrel hinge of the 23" while lacking on the 30".

- Last pic is nside profile of barrels, the 30" has: F.9.R stamped above the SR# and is lacking on the 23"

[B. Dudley]

Jeff,
If you feel like a drive to Rochester, i would love to see the gun with you and meet you. Open invitation.

[edgarspencer]

Originally Posted by edgarspencer

I love those hammers.

Originally Posted by Dean Romig

Yes, me too! Especially the right one - it is exactly the style I'm current looking for.

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Originally Posted by edgarspencer

Really? With The groove around the edge?

Originally Posted by Dean Romig

No groove. I poster a picture of the left hammer in the "Members Only - Want to Buy" page.

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So, You're looking for one exactly like these, but with no groove? I see...........

[Dean Romig]

Yup...






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