Ward Auction Hammer Gun

jeffery c · 05-08-2021, 10:46 AM

https://www.wardscollectibles.com/vi....php?item=4330 What do the members make of this gun? I sure would welcome everyone’s take on this gun. It’s just what I like: a lightly worn, lower grade gun.
I always am concerned about lengthened chambers, yet a gun this old should have stepped chambers, right? What would the correct chamber length be? If I remember right, there is a chamber difference for brass versus paper cartridges. I also wonder about the 30 1/2” barrels. The IC chokes seem loose to me as most old guns I’ve gauged are choked full and full or mod and full choked. The length of pull as stated strikes me as unlikely to be original. Lastly, is it possible a lower grade gun was made without checkering? The condition is good for me and I would like to bid on it. I understand bore condition/diameter and possible honing/thin barrels are potential problems with an auction gun. What do you all think of this gun? I’d sure appreciate your help bidding in a more informed way.

jeffery c · 05-08-2021, 11:26 AM

I may have posted this in the wrong section. If so, can a moderator move it? Maybe Parker General Discussions would have been a better place for this. This Parker is for sale but not by me.

Dean Romig · 05-08-2021, 12:14 PM

5509 is too early to have a matted rib as described in Ward's write-up on the gun.
I own 5949 which is a D-grade lifter with 30" barrels and no matting on the rib, just the Parker Bros. (etc.) rib legend.

We often see barrels longer than the records show on some of these older Parkers - usually up to 1/4" or so longer so 30 1/2" may be original... but with a matted rib, originality of the barrels comes into question.

A research letter might address if the barrels had been replaced...

It is Parker's lowest grade for the period and the lack of checkering is quite normal.

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Bill Murphy · 05-08-2021, 12:40 PM

If an early Parker is measured for choke with a drop in gauge, the reading will be a much more open choke than if measured with a bore micrometer. Most gun dealers do not know how to work a bore micrometer, and even more of them don't own one. I'm not sure about Ward's, in many ways.

Researcher · 05-08-2021, 01:16 PM

The rib is not matted, just a poor Ward's description.

5509 01.jpg

Dean Romig · 05-08-2021, 01:20 PM

I just looked again and waited for Ward's magnification option to load up.... The rib is NOT matted as stated in their write up. It is a smooth rib just as it should be for that era.

Oh Hi Dave - we were typing at the same time.

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Mike Franzen · 05-09-2021, 01:06 AM

It looks like a nice gun. Be interesting to see what it goes for. My phone can’t quite make out the barrel steel name. Looks like Stub Twist to me.

jeffery c · 05-09-2021, 01:20 AM

The barrel reads “Stub Twist”.

jeffery c · 05-09-2021, 01:24 AM

As I mentioned, I’ll be bidding this gun up to a point, not knowing about the chambers or possible honing. What length would the original chambers have been? Do the records show an original barrel length?

Mike Franzen · 05-09-2021, 01:57 AM

Original chambers on a gun like that would be 2 1/2” I believe. You can check this website to see if records are available. The Serialization book might have it listed and show barrel length. Stub twist barrels are beautiful when properly refinished. Good luck with your auction.
Hope you don’t get into a bidding war.