Choke Identification

[Scott McPherson]

I have a Parker Brothers side by side 28 gauge that was manufactured in 1903 according to its serial number. Are there typical markings that will tell me the choke size in each barrel or do I need to buy a choke guide to determine?

[Joe D.]

In order to accurately measure choke constriction you will need a 28 Gauge bore micrometer. With it you may find bore diameter and choke constriction which will translate into a numerical choke value by subtracting muzzle diameter from bore diameter. Then to find out how it actually delivers a pattern shoot some paper targets with various loads. Good luck with your new gun.

[Steiner]

Scott, If you post a few pictures including the water table and barrel flats you will quickly learn more about your gun that you likely believed possible from this group. 28 gauge Parkers are very desirable and generate significant interest and discussion. Congratulations on owning a special gun.

[Dean Romig]

There will not be any choke stamps on a Parker produced in Meriden (pre-1937)





.

[Steve Pacilio]

I picked up a Parker 12 GA VH grade with 30” barrels. In studying the watertable and barrel flats it appears that the gun:

Made in 1901
Vulcan Steel barrels
No. 2 frame
4.4 barrel weight before striking

My questions:
What does the Kf mean?
What does the + on the barrel flats under each barrel mean?





Thanks in advance for your input.

[Dean Romig]

There have been several opinions of what the Kf represents and you can find them by doing a search here on the forum.

There has been speculation that the + may indicate a slight overboring due to some minor roughness in the bore after the first boring. We often see the + on just one barrel but oftener there will be no + at all.





.