Parker Made Barrels

Richard Dow · 05-11-2010, 04:12 PM

Their is some evidence and discussion about Parker making barrels for about 18 months in the circa 1879 period. I have also heard that these barrels may have a distinctive mark, possibly a P with a diamond shape by it.
Does anyone have a Parker from that period that has such markings? If so how about a picture. Thanks, Dick Dow

Drew Hause · 05-11-2010, 05:21 PM

Here you go Richard, with the article by John Davis
http://docs.google.com/Doc?id=dfg2hmx7_1742r4n6vcz

T1 Lifter courtesy of Ron Conover with 'PB' in a shield, 'T', and unknown mark covered by the bottom rib. The 'PB' mark has been found on Laminated, Decarbonized and Twist barrels; the earliest SN 0954 and the latest SN 4576.

Richard Dow · 05-11-2010, 05:45 PM

Drew: I'm trying to put together the idea that the serial numbers were 0954-4576 for Parker built barrels with the PB stamp and the dates around 1879 or the late 1870's as also indicated for barrel production.(laminated)
If Parker made Laminated barrels in the serial number range of 10000-15000 would the barrel also be marked PB or would their be a different P??
If I'm misreading information someone please set me straight. Thanks

Austin W Hogan · 05-11-2010, 08:52 PM

Thank you , Richard and Drew, this is the most challenging question and topic that has been on the forum in several months.
First, I think collecting Parker made barrels would be a great niche for a serious collector. There is not a lot of information available and it will take serious study to learn to identify Parker made barrels. There are some beautiful Parker barreled guns; Robin Lewis 16 ga L5 is a prime example, and the L2 twenty gauge of Burchard's, shown at last year's Annual Meeting is another. The Parkers in this period have very nice engraving in all grades, and those with ball grips have the best checking patterns of all Parkers. Among these are some guns that look like the barrels were welded up at the bar at a plumbers convention.
With respect to the direct question I have found the PB in shield on some early guns that were refitted with later barrels ( s/n 1953 is one I can account for); it may have been a repair stamp at that time. The PB in shield re appears just after WWI ; it was used as a proof mark on guns shipped to the British Empire that required proof marks to be imported; Ron Mc Donald has a few of these, as noted in PP a few years ago.
The attached pictures show an L3 , 14056. The number on the flats is the order number. It has been to several PGCA meetings and there is a sort of consensus that it is a Parker laminated barrel. Note, in the first photo the P on the flats, in the spot the barrel steel is usually stamped. The second photo shows the change in pattern at the joint, in agreement with John Davis finding that Parker laminated barrels were made in three segments. The third photo shows the L R pattern difference. This is probably one of the plumber's convention guns, but the checking and engraving are so nice I can't part with it.

Best, Austin

Don Mills · 05-11-2010, 10:35 PM

I don't believe 4567 is the last lifter with the PB mark. This is from lifter #4657 with 30" stub twist barrels, interesting that it is the same numbers in the serial number but with a different order

Richard Dow · 05-12-2010, 10:49 AM

I am looking now at the left barrel flat of a laminated barrel built in 1879. In the upper left corner of that flat, above and a ways from the barrel wt. is a P. I also see the division of the "3 piece" barrel very very slightly. This one was well done.
Not being one of our experts I beleve this to be a Parker made barrel.
Please don't ask for pictures at this time. I will submit them later. Thanks Austin,Drew: Dick Dow

Drew Hause · 05-12-2010, 11:26 AM

Thanks for bringing this issue up again Dick, and to Austin and all. I've corrected the document http://docs.google.com/Doc?id=dfg2hmx7_1742r4n6vcz
Looking forward to adding a high resolution pic of the 'P'

Does anyone have a Twist/Stub Twist barrel with a 'P'??

Richard Dow · 05-12-2010, 12:38 PM

Drew: I don't have a Twist/Stub but I have another 1879 hammer gun with damascus barrels that I'm now curious to study when I get a minute. Of coarse I don't believe the barrels were made by Parker but I want to look again at the barrel flat markings. I'll send a picture of the P when I can.

Austin W Hogan · 05-12-2010, 09:05 PM

The PB in Shield mark on Parker Lifter 1953 is on the bottom of the locking lug next to the frame size 1. The rib on this barrel has the roll mark found on guns with s/n greater than 18? 20? thousand. This indicates the new barrel with the PB in shield stamp was put there some time later than production of guns with these numbers.

We did articles on numbering, and then other marks on Parker components in PP about 5 years ago. It may be time to review and up date this if input is available.

I think that one conclusion can be solidly made about Parker marks and stamps that are not visible when the gun is assembled. These marks were put there as part of quality control and inventory control; they conveyed no information to the eventual buyer.

Best, Austin

Richard Dow · 05-19-2010, 05:16 PM

Researching the P on the barrel flats of the same 1879 gun with laminated barrels I was studying Parker Pages and see that Parker designated stock configurations with certain letters. A P was for Half Pistol Grip. Were they ever known to have engraved this on the barrel flats? I suspect not. I'd appreciate it if anyone else with a circa 1879 gun with laminated barrels with a simple P on the barrel flats would let us know. Thanks, Dick Dow Or maybe better yet a P on a barrel flat some years away.