Parker Question

[Grouse28]

Not meant to open a hornets nest here, but a question from a novice.
I see on many posts the wringing of hands and gnashing of teeth as to whether a barrel has been cut. Does the matting stop short of the end of the barrel?
Were they all made that way? etc. Most people are turned off immediately by cut barrels. I saw the 20 gauge that was just sold had cut barrels and nothing original except the action. Is it only justifiable if someone with a name does it?
Regardless it is a beautiful gun. However it brought tears to my eyes to know a 20 with 30” legs was cut. Maybe it was damaged.
I have a 16 gauge Fox Sterlingworth with two sets of barrels. Originally the Philadelphia barrels were 32” and I sometimes feel as a second rate citizen.
The cut is well done and I assume it was done by Savage when the other barrels were added. Maybe I should feel better, help me out.

[John Davis]

David, the matting does not always go to the end of the barrels but always raises a red flag. Cut barrels negate virtually all collector value no matter who the butcher was. Cut barrels does not mean it isn't still a fine and wonderful "meat" gun. Or any other kind of wonderful gun for that matter. Just not as many $$$$$$

[Researcher]

Over on the A.H. Fox Collectors site, in the Members Only section, In the "Cards of the Month" I've posted at least one production card that had "cut barrels to 26"" on it.

[John Davis]

Perhaps I should more accurately say that the matting doesn't always stop short of the end of the barrels but when it doesn't that always raises a red flag.

[Mike Franzen]

I have a GH 20 gauge with 26” bbls where the matting goes all the way to the end. The PGCA letter confirms they left the factory that way. Cutting barrels is highly frowned upon today and outright condemned on these forums. The wringing and gnashing you see is because someone doesn’t want to buy an altered gun at a premium price. However, if you are interested in a Parker with cut bbls just realize, as a general rule, it’s not going to have the value as a similar gun with uncut bbls. Also, if you like a gun with cut bbls don’t worry about what anyone else thinks. It only matters when it’s time to sell.

[mobirdhunter]

My favorite DHE 20 has the matting extend to the end of its 30 inch barrels. The research letter verified the barrel length for me *before* I bought the gun.

[John Davis]

"Also, if you like a gun with cut bbls don’t worry about what anyone else thinks. It only matters when it’s time to sell."

And if you are like me, you live by the rule of "Buy High, Sell Low."

[B. Dudley]

As a general rule, the rib matting should terminate to some degree before the end of the rib. And on grades higher than trojan, should have a hand engraved line perpendicular to the tib matting at that termination point. Trojans will simply terminate. Sometimes so close to the edge that it is hard to see the actual termination unless closely looked at. Yes, there are some rare exceptions, but that does not change the fact that any barrel that does not have terminated matting should be suspect.