Identifying a 1/2 Frame

[wayne goerres]

Probable won't be an argument over the vice. It is plainly marked.

[Jean Swanson]

I read on a set of original Parker blue print dated some where around 1920 "that all 1/2 frame guns will be on 1 frame actions ".

If I recall , I posted this sometime in the past. Question---was this factual ??? I certainly do not know.

Allan

[Bill Murphy]

Allan, Dave Suponski sent me a copy of that memo for my 1/2 frame research collection. The result of that memo is that #1 frame barrels will fit on a 1/2 frame action. However, there are other differences, like the forend attaching area. My 1/2 frame DHE actually has a second set of #1 frame barrels. The #1 frame barrels require a #1 frame forend and the 1/2 frame barrels require a #0 or #1/2 frame forend. Oddly, the memo was dated long before the 1/2 frame was put into production. Thanks, Allan.

[GH-16]

Originally Posted by Allan H. Swanson

I read on a set of original Parker blue print dated some where around 1920 "that all 1/2 frame guns will be on 1 frame actions ".

If I recall , I posted this sometime in the past. Question---was this factual ??? I certainly do not know.

Allan

When studying the frame size chart in the Parker Story. I believe it might confirm the 1/2 frames started as 1 frames in that they share the same firing pin center spacing of 1 1/16" It also appears this is the only measurement they share in common as far as bolters, breech & across the hinge measurements. In the notes section on the frame size chart it does point out there are some common measurements shared by all frame sizes, in particular D, G & F I'm fairly sure that if you measured enough guns you would find some variances in all of these measurements from gun to gun. After all they were hand filed & probably had some "go, no-go" tolerances the tradesmen had to follow for each frame size.

I find this to be an interesting study of Parkers. I've always been intrigued by the weight & proportional differences there can be from gun to gun on the same frame size. I still have questions about the 1/2 frames though. In my thinking, why would Parker develop their smallest 12ga frame offering & not intend it to be their most svelte proportioned gun in that gauge. I accept the fact that there are 8lb 1/2 frames & probably some sub 6 1/2lb 1/2 frames, but I still wonder why make the 1/2 frame into an 8lb gun?

The gun I measured in the pictures weighs in at 7lbs. Not bad for a 12ga with 28" tubes &.041" wall thickness. If this one had the wood proportioned to match "particularly in the wrist area" I'm fairly sure they could have shaved a few ounces off it.