Parker gauge determination

[Jack Hamner]

Originally Posted by Brian Dudley

A lot of early guns are oversized in the bores. So bore measurements alone will not give a true answer. If records are available, a letter is a good way to confirm original configuration.

Thanks so much, Brian.

[Dean Romig]

Unfortunately in this circumstance, our records don’t go down into three-digit serial numbers.






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[Jack Hamner]

Hypothetical question--given the low serial number and old military surplus steel barrels, is the gun more likely to be a 14 ga. or a 12b or can that question not be answered? I think only about 150 14 gauges were made. I assume a 14 ga. would be more valuable than 12b?

[Dean Romig]

Given the rarity of 14 bore Parkers, It’s more likely to be a 12B.





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[Pa SxS]

Without seeing the gun but knowing it's S/N, I'd guess it's the lowest grade back action lifter gun with a straight grip. Some of the old back action guns were chambered for the 12b brass cartridge which has the same dimensions as a 14ga. paper shell. I'll also venture a guess that the bore diameter is equivalent to an 11ga. gun. I have actually seen 12b/14 entered in the first stock book. I have one S/N 63 and I know of at least one other that a member has.

[Jack Hamner]

Originally Posted by Chuck Bishop

Without seeing the gun but knowing it's S/N, I'd guess it's the lowest grade back action lifter gun with a straight grip. Some of the old back action guns were chambered for the 12b brass cartridge which has the same dimensions as a 14ga. paper shell. I'll also venture a guess that the bore diameter is equivalent to an 11ga. gun. I have actually seen 12b/14 entered in the first stock book. I have one S/N 63 and I know of at least one other that a member has.

Thank you, Chuck. I'm still somewhat confused as to what I have. How could I tell for sure other than having someone measure the bore diameter? Someone did this for me about a year ago and came up with the 12b. Don't know if I should get a second opinion or not! Thanks! Jack.

P.S. I just found an all brass unfired REM-UMC Best 12 gauge shell that will not go into either chamber of the gun. Not sure what that means, if anything, though.

[Jack Hamner]

Originally Posted by Dean Romig

Given the rarity of 14 bore Parkers, It’s more likely to be a 12B.





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Thanks, Dean...........I was hoping for a 14, but I expect you're right on this one.

[Mills]

Is Richard Hoover still with us? He was the expert on these early odd gauges

[Dean Romig]

Richard Hoover, Charlie Price and Austin Hogan did a lot of research on the various bore and chamber sizes of the very early Parkers.

I have files containing all the known (at the time they were all with us and active) 11-gauge serial numbers and there are no three digit serial numbers in those files.





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[Dean Romig]

If that one is a 12A you need to try a 12 B and if a 12B won’t go in either chamber at all, then in all likelihood it’s a 14 gauge.





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