Too Bad

[Chris T.]

Not to discount the seller any, but this is why you ALWAYS need to get pictures before you buy a gun! At least he's a good photographer.

[B. Dudley]

Yes. It was good to see many pictures in the auction. It accureately shows the condition and issues with the gun. And by all means, if all works and it shoots well then it is not a bad gun, maybe just overpriced.
I will refer to my Aftermarket barreled P grade 12g. that I shoot. Not a collector by any means, but a great little gun. But I did not Pay a whole lot for it either.

[Dean Romig]

Originally Posted by Brian Dudley

if all works and it shoots well then it is not a bad gun, maybe just overpriced.

I can't agree with you Brian re- this particular gun. That statement may be valid with other guns that are what they should be but not this one, in my sometimes narrow-minded opinion.

[Mike Murphy]

Excuse my ignorance, but does the use of the term "mono-blocked" mean sleeved, or something else?

[Dean Romig]

Sleeving and mono-blocking are similar in appearance. Sleeving is where the breech end of the barrels are cut just forward of the chambers and new tubes precisely fitted into the breech section. Mono-block is a term used in the production of a new SXS or O/U where the breech section of the barrels, including the locking lug and top rib section are machined from a single casting and the barrels fitted as described above... so, 'mono-block' is not really the correct term for what has been done to this gun.

In Mike McIntosh's fine book 1989 ed. best guns- when he discussed Beretta he describes the mono-blocking process, which Beretta and other high end European makers have been using for years- and as Beretta goes back to the 17th century as a premiere gun maker in Italy, not too bad a record--

The only experience I have ever had with a "sleeved" if that is the right term here- barrel set was about 20 years- when Damascus barrels were "unsafe" for modern loads- a friend inherited a fine 12 BH Parker with 30" Bernard barrels, No. 2 frame- made in 1911- a real fine piece of craftsmanship from Parker's "Golden Age", at least IMO here.

He contacted Frank LeFever and Sons in Lee center NY (if memory serves) and they stripped and re-used the ribs, but mono-blocked Nitro proof barrels into the Damascus breech 'stubs" about 3- 3.5" from the breech and top rib doll's head forward- soldered and re-set the original ribs, proof tested it and returned it via insured UPS to him. I don't recall what the cost was, he still has it and shoots it and was pleased with the work done.

I am told that LeFever and Sons is no longer in business-today we might not need do that- if the wall thickness and bore condition passes our gunsmith's inspection, we can use RST low pressure loads in those older guns.

Hope this helps, there are others here who can shed more light on this subject than i can, as I have not yet owned a double with the mono-blocked barrels, only seen and handled them--

[Mike Murphy]

Thanks. I knew what mono-blocked barrels are, but didn't know how it applied to this particular shotgun. The "rings" around the barrel resemble those that you see on some mono-blocked barrels. But that sort of decoration is also used sometimes to hide the "seam" created with the sleeving of barrels.
Which leaves me still not knowing if these decorative engraved circles reflect a sleeving operation on the gun or are just decorative.

take the barrels off the gun and check both the top and bottom ribs for a cut line- not to be confused with the 'expansion joint" on the top rib, similar to that on a sidewalk or other poured concrete. My LC Smiths show that joint clearly, on the middle to higher grades they are filled with silver- show up quite clearly.

If this gun has mono-blocked or sleeved barrels from the orginal un sleeved barrels, there should be signs of the ribs re-set, at least in my limited experience.

Murphy is it now? Good Irish name indeed. I've been a firm believe in Mr. Murphy's law for many years, have also been wearing his fine shoes ( in his partnership with Mr. Johnson of course) as well. Not my checkbook on the line here, but are you considering making an offer on this Parker?

[Mike Murphy]

Not considering an offer. Just interested in gaining knowledge. I've never seen a Parker with either mono-blocked or sleeved barrels.