11-Gauge Parkers

[Hammer Fan]

Originally Posted by Richard B. Hoover

Forrest,

I have published the measurements of the dimensions of a number of the early Brass and Paper shells in my DGJ articles on 11-gauge Parkers (Winter, 2008 and Spring, 2009). I will be happy to make them into .pdf files and upload them if you would like.

Richard

Outstanding! I think I have those issues, I will be sure to check at first opportunity tonight. If not, I would definitely love to see your articles.

[Pa SxS]

Richard,

The mic will reach 18 1/2".

[Richard B. Hoover]

Chuck,

That is fantastic. Does it have sufficient range to do chambers and forcing cones as well?

I am very much interested in finding out the serial number range of the full length tapered bores as well. Do you have the DGJ issues. If not I will post them as they describe the saga I have been through since my Grandfather won an old Parker in a Poker game in 1921. the mysteries of this old wall hanger continue to help us learn more about the Parker secrets.

Richard

[Pa SxS]

No, it's a Stan Baker set so there are 3 separate shafts that will read 12,16,20,28,and .410. I don't know why 10ga wasn't included.

The largest head will only read to .770 so checking the chamber and getting an accurate read on forcing cones isn't possible. I use my digital micrometer for chamber dia. which seems to work well right at the mouth of the chamber.

Please post the DGJ article.

[Austin W Hogan]

Chuck, Forrest, and all:

My 10 ga measurements are as yours, but are on the edge of resolution on my Stan Baker gauge so I did not use them in the article. After a little my searching through TPS, I conclude that the combination of .810 chamber and .750 bore would accomodate either paper or brass shells, making it possible to distribute and stock Parker guns in American commerce.

Parker order book entries begin with steel type gauge length - ie Dam 12/30. It would be very difficult to miss an 11, if it existed in the serialization data.

Best, Austin

[Richard B. Hoover]

Austin,

That is just the problem. Bill Furnish, George Flaim, Charlie Herzog and I have all found true 11-gauge Parkers that were entered in the Stock books as 12- or 10-gauge guns. And these are early (pre-1875) guns chambered 0.825" to 0.830" which is not suitable for either 12A brass or 12paper or 10A brass or 10 paper shells. We have also found perfect 12-bore Parker (0.729") barrels chambered for 11B brass shells. More measurements are needed. I have suggested to Charlie, that I could send my Bore and Chamber gauges to him, but it may be getting too late for him to get them to the SXS.

Maybe you could give me a call at 256-337-4082 as I would like to discuss this in more detail. I talk faster than I type (still only use one finger).

Chuck, I wil post my DGJ articles that contain the information on the early shotshell dimensions and my wanderings in the Parker 11-gauge briar patch as soon as I get them converted to .pdf files (hopefully later today.)

Thanks,

Richard

Richard

[Hammer Gun]

Richard if you are ever up my way, "30mi south of Roanoke VA." at milepost 163 Blue Ridge Parkway, You could check some of my early guns I have no gauges to check with! Some of interest. Ser # 97-12B?, Ser# 258-12ga? Ser# 1147 14ga, Ser# 1590-12ga? Ser# 2349-12ga? Ser# 3307-12ga? Ser# 3416 2brl set 12ga? Ser#3834 11ga, with letter, Ser# 4412-12ga? As stated some have letters but not many, I am giving these serial numbers from memory but believe them correct without checking. Best Gary

[Richard B. Hoover]

Gary,

I was delighted to hear about your Early Parker. I may have data on some of those guns if they belonged to Bill furnish in the early to mid 1990's. Some of those T-Latch numbers sound vaguely familiar.

I would like to talk with you. I will try to give you a call later this evening

[Richard B. Hoover]

Chuck,

I am posting Part I of the DGJ Article. The Table with data on the Dimensions of Early Shells is on Pg. 72. I also post images of these early 11-gauge shells. As you can see, the head diameters (0.825") are much to large for a fireformed 12A or 12 Paper shell (0.810") but appropriate for a true 11-ga chamber. These shells are extremely rare, and to my knowledge no one has any shells with dimensions like these with a Parker Headstamp or designated "11A". If anyone does, it would be wonderful to hear from them.


Yours,

Richard

[Richard B. Hoover]

Forrest,

I attach a picture of one of the Game Scene Ovals of #3561 with a Pointer and Setter on point and back as a Timber Doodle flushes from the rich Marsh Land of Southern Louisiana, where Aristide Monnot had his vast Sugar Plantations and Refineries. I also attach a photo of me with my GrandDads old Parker and Bonnie my faithful hunting dog. The ducks were brought down with 12-gauge shells in the sleeved chambers of the 11-bore Parker (unfortunately not a double) and retrieved by Bonnie. She died at the age of 15 shortly after this picture was taken. Bonnie was fast as the wind and had many NSTRA and NAVHDA awards. She retrieved many a dove, quail, grouse, woodcock, geese, duck and shoes (she kept bringing them from my closet until she was given a reward). That girl had a sense of humor like no dog I have ever known. There will never be another one like her and she will always be missed. But you have to move on and Miriam and I will pick up my new (49 day old) Brittany Pup tommorrow. I am taking an 11-gauge Parker along to make sure the pup I choose will have no fear of the sound of thunder and love the smell of gunpowder.


Yours,

Richard