Agents for Parker

[Mike Poindexter]

Interesting. They say "The barrels are manufactured by themselves", but don't list Laminated Steel as an option. We have seen rib-marked "Laminated Steel" barrels in a herringbone pattern from 1878 to 1881 stamped P on the flat, which Rev Doc Drew identifies as Lutticher (Liege) "Toncin" damascus, and many believe to be the only barrels actually manufactured from scratch by PB. Wonder what the buyers thought when instead of getting damascus they got a gun marked Laminated?

[Dean Romig]

Originally Posted by Mike Poindexter

Interesting. They say "The barrels are manufactured by themselves", but don't list Laminated Steel as an option. We have seen rib-marked "Laminated Steel" barrels in a herringbone pattern from 1878 to 1881 stamped P on the flat, which Rev Doc Drew identifies as Lutticher (Liege) "Toncin" damascus, and many believe to be the only barrels actually manufactured from scratch by PB. Wonder what the buyers thought when instead of getting damascus they got a gun marked Laminated?

It's true - according to testimony given by Charles A. King before a Senate Inquiry, Parker Bros. produced their own barrels in 1877, 1878, and 1879. They were made in segments and hammer-welded together to form the full-length tube.
We find guns made with these P marked Laminated Steel barrels into the early 1880's. I have a Grade 3 made in 1881 with these Parker-made barrels.

There should have been no disappointment in receiving a Parker with Laminated barrels instead of Damascus barrels. Laminated Steel is a more resilient composition and is as strong as the best Damascus.





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[Mike Franzen]

Originally Posted by Dean Romig

It's true - according to testimony given by Charles A. King before a Senate Inquiry, Parker Bros. produced their own barrels in 1877, 1878, and 1879.

I have an 1878 Gun. Does that mean the Damascus barrels were made by Parker?

BTW ... She just turned 140 this year. Doesn’t look a day over 125 :-)