New member with question on 20 gauge Parker

[Tim Bivens]

Hi guys, I am new here and live in central Texas, I collect double barrel shotguns and have been interested in getting a Parker for a long time. I am currently checking out Parker #112898. The serial number is on the gun in 4 places and all match. The problem is the information in the Parker Gun and Identification and Serialization book does not match the gun. According to the book this gun was made in 1902 with 16 gauge damascus barrels. The gun is actually a 20 gauge with barrels that are plainly marked "ACME STEEL". The gun has a "G" below the serial number on the water table and a "2" above the serial number. From my limited knowledge I take that this is a "GH" (it is hammerless) or Grade 2 gun. From what I can find the "GH" grade guns did not normally come with "ACME" barrels (The engraving and the stock seem to be consistent with a "GH" gun also). So is the book wrong or was the gun sent back to the factory and rebarreled as a 20 guage?

Thanks,
Tim

[Big Friend Ten (BFT)]

Hi Tim,

Acme Steel barrels were provided on C and higher Grade guns. The "book" may be wrong but Grade 4 barrels on a Grade 2 gun is not likely. It was probably rebarreled and maybe at Parker. Good photos of the barrel flats may reveal a repair code. High quality photos of the action and barrels may reveal much.

Depending on the price, with the higher grade barrels this gun may be a great buy!

Mark

[Tim Bivens]

Mark,
Thanks for the reply. What you are saying is what I already suspected, but I am kind of inexperienced as far as Parkers go. I can get the gun for a good price so I am probably going to go ahead with it. I plan on getting a PGCA letter on the gun after purchase. Maybe they can tell me more about it. When I get the gun in my possession I will try to get some pictures posted here.

Thanks again,
Tim

[B. Dudley]

Is the gun a 1 frame or an 0 frame?

[Tim Bivens]

Originally Posted by Brian Dudley

Is the gun a 1 frame or an 0 frame?

Not sure of frame size. I am going back to purchase the gun tomorrow. Will check the frame size then and post it here.
Thanks,
Tim

[B. Dudley]

Just curious... The 1 frame on a 16g is more common, but the 0 frame on a 20g is more common.
It would be interesting to know if there is any factory documentation that shows 20g barrels fitted to that gun.
,Brian

[Paul P.]

Tim, welcome to the PGCA. That sounds like an interesting gun you have found.
You will find that there is an amazing amount of info available here on this site. You do need to join the Assn. before you order a letter on that gun. You will save $20.00 by joining. $40.00 to join and $40.00 for the letter for members vs. $100.00 for non members. You will also be able to buy and sell guns and other stuff from the members that you can't do as a forum member.

When you get the gun home, we would like to see pictures.

[Tim Bivens]

I now have the gun in my possession but alas I am afraid the barrels may be of European manufacture. It does say " PARKER BROS. MAKERS MER. CONN. ACME STEEL " on the top of the barrel. On the bottom of the barrel lug it has a "0".
I understand these markings are normal for a Parker Gun. However the rest of the markings do not match anything I see in the pictures I have available of genuine Parker barrels. There is a "20" on the bottom of the left barrel in front of the flat. On the left flat there is a makers mark that I can't quite make out (looks like a tiny coat of arms) then a star in a circle with "PSF" underneath it and also "WK". On the bottom of the right barrel in front on the barrel flat there is a "179". On the right barrel flat there is the word "FINITO" and the roman numeral "XXIV". As soon as I saw the "FINITO" I thought this must be an imported barrel. Can anyone please tell me what all this means?
Thanks,
Tim

[OH Osthaus]

pictures help, but it sounds like a reused rib on Italian tubes

is there evidence of being sleeved? a ring around the barrels ahead of the chamber area?

[Tim Bivens]

Hmm, the reused rib on Italian barrels is possible, but as has been noted already this gun did not come with ACME barrels so the rib had to come from another gun. I do not see any evidence of sleeving.
Thanks,
Tim