20 gauge damascus Parker

[double barrel]

Dean,
Yes, I looked for signs of sleeving and attempted to put the 16 gauge shell in the breach of which it was a no-go.

It seems obvious the 2nd set of barrels were done latter on, does anyone know who made extra barrels for parkers that had these type of markings? What might the stars represent? Chokes?

Ken

[Opening Day]

The replacement barrels could have been made by Atlas which imported the barrels from Italy? I think, but it was common back in the 50's and 60's when everyone was scared to shoot damascus barrels.

[Bill Murphy]

That is one fine and valuable gun and the new barrels look to be high quality also. How about someone coming forward to post the pictures that Ken is having trouble with? I am not able to do it. The barrel flat markings should tell us the origin of the new barrels.

[double barrel]

Bill,
For my own curiosity what do you value this gun at. I have no intensions of selling it just would like to know how well I did.

Thanks,

Ken

[Hammer Gun]

Eric can tell you what it's worth, what say you Mr E

[Dean Romig]

Bill, read the second post on page two of this thread where Ken says he attempted to insert a 16 ga. shell in the original Damascus chambers and got a "no go".

[Researcher]

According to the table in The Parker Story there were 129, 20-gauge, Damascus barrel, DH-/DHE-grades made. The most common barrel length for them was 28-inches, with 69 made in that length. However, I'll be willing to bet that a very small percentage of them were made with the half-pistol grip this gun has. Very nice find.

A buddy of mine since Cub Scouts, bought a DH-Grade 12-gauge at Frederick & Nelson in Seattle, in 1967, serial number 88224. It has "S.F. Cal. Apr 8, 1899" carved in one barrel channel of the forearm. It has sported Italian steel barrels all these years, but we are still on the lookout for the original Damascus barrels. Any of you guys got them?

[Dean Romig]

Ken, despite advice to the contrary, I don't think I'd jump right onto cleaning or refinishing anything about that gun just yet. Once you do anything to that gun you can't undo it. Go slowly. Don't do anything you might regret later. Don't do anything to that gun that may negatively affect it's value. If you watch "Antiques Road Show" or have had any discussions with people who have been in the antiques business for most of their adult lives you must know that "cleaning", "refinishing" or in any way removing original patina can have a devastating effect on value. Yup, it's nice to have a clean gun but I think the Damascus pattern is quite visible and the wood figure and grain are lovely with the character age has given it but it is the original finish that you should preserve and protect.

[ch]

All i'd do to it is shoot it. And oil it gently. WOW!

[double barrel]

Here is a picture with a 20 ga shell chambered and a 16 ga shell trying to chamber.

Ken