Question for Parker Historians

[King Cobb]

Only discrepancy might be if the barrel steel types don't line up with what original steel type. Several guns that vame from factory with damascus got replaced with Vulcan.

[Southpaw]

Originally Posted by Bill Holcombe

Only discrepancy might be if the barrel steel types don't line up with what original steel type. Several guns that vame from factory with damascus got replaced with Vulcan.

That is an interesting comment. In the spirit of just conversation, why do you suppose those barrels were changed out to Vulcan. Probably a myriad of reasons. Guns are tools that were knocked and banged around and used I am guessing and using Vulcan was just the most economical repair at the time in the evolving faster, better, less expensive industrial process management. Or, was that a conscientious decision to make a change to use modern powder.

I am probably guessing D. All the above. Unless you may know something.

[King Cobb]

Originally Posted by Todd Poer

That is an interesting comment. In the spirit of just conversation, why do you suppose those barrels were changed out to Vulcan. Probably a myriad of reasons. Guns are tools that were knocked and banged around and used I am guessing and using Vulcan was just the most economical repair at the time in the evolving faster, better, less expensive industrial process management. Or, was that a conscientious decision to make a change to use modern powder.

I am probably guessing D. All the above. Unless you may know something.

As I understand it, when you got a set of replacement barrels, you had the option of paying to get a matching type or a cheaper barrel type. You see it also with barrels that were added from the factory later. Sometimes they match barrel ttpe sometimes they don't.

[Southpaw]

Originally Posted by Bill Holcombe

As I understand it, when you got a set of replacement barrels, you had the option of paying to get a matching type or a cheaper barrel type. You see it also with barrels that were added from the factory later. Sometimes they match barrel ttpe sometimes they don't.

Thanks. I think Dean and Brian have alluded something similar to your reply as well. It is never just one thing probably that would make someone make a change from a duplication to replacement. Sometimes price at the end of the day does matter.

My only other thought and not certain if any merit to it is that maybe some asked for new barrels based on new generation of barrels for modern powder use. Maybe its just me when I hear the word "cheaper" it has a sense of derogatory tone like it is something of less quality as opposed to just being less expensive. I get it may have less grade because it does not have scrollwork or inlay and hence less pricey.

I don't know maybe I was thinking someone asking for Vulcan barrels might have been folks that were early adopters of the change. But as dean alluded to some of the change was forced. I think I do recall a thought at the time that damascus was tried and proven and some were slow to adapt to new fangled fluid steel.

I guess it is somewhat the same as having barrels that are fixed choked as opposed to getting a gun with screw in chokes.