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Joined: Jan 2015
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twines Offline OP
Sidelock
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Sidelock

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I trying to identify this old Parker barrel. It is 30 inches. The logo says Parker Bros Meriden Conn Plain Twist.

Here are where I have pictures. Can't figure out how to post them here.

https://imgur.com/gallery/old-parker-12-gauge-double-eYJmLk7

Thanks for the help

Tom


Suppose you were an idiot and suppose
you were a member of congress. But I repeat myself - Twain.
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Sidelock
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They are from a fairly early hammer gun, probably Grade 0 as they are marked Plain Twist. That was the lowest grade. If there is a serial number on one side of the barrel lump, someone will be able to tell you more.

I would double check that the barrels are 12ga. The 0 stamped on the rear lump may indicate the frame size. 0 frame guns would normally be 16 or 20 gauge guns. BUT, those barrels are early enough that they may pre-date the consistent frame size stamps.


----MattH
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twines Offline OP
Sidelock
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I forgot to include the serial number. It is 16724. Thanks for reminding me.

Tom


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you were a member of congress. But I repeat myself - Twain.
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Sidelock
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Well then, the barrels belonged to a Grade 0 underlifter hammer gun. It was a 12ga with 30 inch barrels made around 1879. It had a straight stock. Info from the Parker serialization book.


----MattH
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twines Offline OP
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Matt

Thanks for the info.

Tom


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you were a member of congress. But I repeat myself - Twain.
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Sidelock
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This is from the 1978 Simmons Hdw. catalog when guns were listed by price ie. "Dollar Grade". The price specified the wood grade, checking, engraving patterns, and damascus quality.

[Linked Image from photos.smugmug.com]

After the introduction of the top lever guns about 1880, the guns were assigned a letter grade.

But it's complicated frown
In the 1882 Parker Bros. catalog the Qualities R, S, T & U were listed with TWIST barrels, and the Qualities N, O, P & Q were listed with FINE ENGLISH TWIST barrels. Ribs were marked TWIST, PLAIN TWIST, or STUB TWIST. Quality P guns have been found with Damascus Twist barrels, but marked Twist and Stub Twist.

[Linked Image from photos.smugmug.com]

Stub Twist

[Linked Image from photos.smugmug.com]

Refinished barrels marked Stub Twist but are Plain Twist

[Linked Image from photos.smugmug.com]

Damacus Twist marked Twist

[Linked Image from photos.smugmug.com]

Your barrels originally looked something like this

[Linked Image from photos.smugmug.com]

BTW I've never seen the 'M' that is on your barrels

[Linked Image from photos.smugmug.com]

In the Hammerless guns the Qualities PH & NH are usually listed with FINE ENGLISH TWIST barrels.


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