Parker Hale

[Baribal]

I too think it may be a rework military action, not a commercial Spanish. Anyways, if there's a left receiver wall thumb cut-out it's not a commercial action. The Spanish commercial actions have the word "Spain" stamped on the left side of the tang, in a grinded area, just above the trigger.
The British ProofHouses used the Imperial LONG tons (2240 Pounds advp) for proofing, and it does not easily converts to Piezo or even CUP PSI, because the testing methods involved are not the same.
A standard load usually was proofed at 18 Tons per Sq. In. while Magnum calibers were proofed at 19.5 Tons per Sq. In.

With good pictures of the Proofmarks, It may be possible to date the rifle was manufactured except for the year included between 1941 and july 18th, 1950, for wich the proof dating was suspended.

 

[woodlotowner]

British made rifles are proofed with heavy overloads but they are stamped with the SERVICE or operating pressure of the working ammunition for which the rifle is recommended.

Tons used are Imperial Long Tons: 2240 pounds apiece.

Further, I would think you're reading it wrong: 18 tons is less than the common.303 is proofed for. A .30-06 would have been proofed for 19 tons working pressure at the very least and 21 tons more likely. I was going to insert the stampings on my own BSA semi-custom P-17 here, but I had a look and found that it is proofed only for an unmentionable charge of NC powder with a 220-grain bullet. Suffice to say that they are proofed at pressures high enough that there should be no huge danger in running it on stuff you get at the hardware store.

Have fun.

Smellie, Not everyone knows about the Imperial long ton. I had a feeling perhaps this is what they were working with. The stamp is definitely 18 tons per sq. in. Even with the adjustment for the unique 'ton', it still comes in at 40,320 psi. Not that I am worried, since we have been shooting factory ammo since new. I load my own now, and always stay conservative, but I wouldn't hesitate to duplicate factory. I do remember shooting 220 graina factory loads as a youngster and that was not really that much fun back then. Thanks.

 

[woodlotowner]

I too think it may be a rework military action, not a commercial Spanish. Anyways, if there's a left receiver wall thumb cut-out it's not a commercial action. The Spanish commercial actions have the word "Spain" stamped on the left side of the tang, in a grinded area, just above the trigger.
The British ProofHouses used the Imperial LONG tons (2240 Pounds advp) for proofing, and it does not easily converts to Piezo or even CUP PSI, because the testing methods involved are not the same.
A standard load usually was proofed at 18.9 Tons per Sq. In. while Magnum calibers were proofed at 19.5 Tons per Sq. In.

With good pictures of the Proofmarks, It may be possible to date the rifle was manufactured except for the year included between 1941 and july 18th, 1950, for wich the proof dating was suspended.

Okay, I'm going to pop it out of the stock later on and have a look. I haven't seen the gun disassembled since I was a teenager and that was a while ago...

It has a cut-out on the left side of the receiver just ahead of the bolt release lever (that's the bolt with the two position safety mind you, which was a clever mod to allow for scoping and was pointed out by others). The other stamping shows crossed swords with 'B' at 3 o'clock, '3' at 6 o'clock, and 'N' at 9 o'clock. Sorry to others for omitting this earlier. This is the busiest receiver/barrel I own...

 

[Baribal]

"NB" code is 1962. The "3" is the "Private Viewer"s Number", wich is anonymous.

Your rifle was more than likely the "utility grade" of their sporting Mausers, means made from a ex-military receiver. This does not mean it's not a good rifle or have cheap wood, though, but simply that it was NOT made from a commercial receiver.

 

[tiriaq]

The military receiver is much better than the last version of the commercial receiver.

 

[icehunter121]

If that was a BNP mark...( British Nitro Proof) Shouldnt it read as BNP 18.5 with the square behind it?? Which would give you 18.5 tons per square inch...with the BNP in front??..just a thought...

 

[Baribal]

If I understand what you are meaning, you want to know if

N\/B
/3\

Can be a "BNP" stamp. Acually, no. The two letters are each sides of the "crossed swords" while the number is below, making it a Private Viewer's mark.

see below

This one is "TB" "2" wich is viewer # 2, TB being the 1968 year.

After 1954 BNP will have a "crown" over the letters, no swords, while London proofhouse will have a "arm holding a sword" over the letters NP since 1904. The older Birmingham proofstamp will be a "crown over NP" from 1904 to 1954, and general View mark will show "crown over BV".

 

[Baribal]

You should be able to find your on this page;

See Drache's thread for another catalog page.

 

[woodlotowner]

Gentlemen,

The plot thickens...

My barrel does have the BNP with crown on the barrel and the receiver both, not to be confused with the crossed swords as noted earlier. Thanks, Baribal for the dating information. It fits with the date of purchase in the early 1960s.

It is a clearly marked 18 tons per sq. in. with the 'square' appearing in sequence after the 'per'. No question here. I know, try to find a twin...

As receivers go, this is the stoutest looking (stoutest period) receiver in the fleet. It's even stouter than the Rem 673 in .350 mag. Probably a military receiver reworked into a sporting arm by PH.

Nice pics too, Baribal. Mine looks like all the guns, but has the two position safety and could never accept a 'low' scope mounting ring by any means. I have to use 'high'. With a fixed power scope (i.e. no magnification bell housing) I may get by with a 'medium', but I wouldn't bet on it. The stock in the centre picture looks the most similar, but mine has the schabel forend. No twin out there perhaps? Unlikely, but I expect mine is a limited run for Eaton's or Simpson's or some such retailer in the day.

I'm having fun here, hope you guys are not too bored...

 

[Why not?]

....... Mine looks like all the guns, but has the two position safety and could never accept a 'low' scope mounting ring by any means. I have to use 'high'. ......

Not bored at all, however I am a bit confused.

You first posted that you had to use high mounts because of the bolt handle configuration.

....... not a bent bolt in the traditional sense, but rather a 'curved' bolt with the handle curving slightly up and back at the knob end. I have to use 'high' rings for the scope so the handle clears the hardware......

That was why I replied that is was not an original P-H bolt, since they were all low enough to easily mount a scope.

Ted

 

[woodlotowner]

Not bored at all, however I am a bit confused.

You first posted that you had to use high mounts because of the bolt handle configuration.



That was why I replied that is was not an original P-H bolt, since they were all low enough to easily mount a scope.

Ted

Thanks for being confused. The bolt has matching serial number to the receiver, so this was Parker Hale's original configuration, whatever that's worth here. The bolt will not operate with a 'typical' scope. Neither the Bushnell 3-9x40 nor the Nikon of similar dimensions will work with anything but high rings. I have the standard two piece weaver style bases mounted on the top of the receiver. I don't know if this gun came drilled and tapped for scope mounts or not (my Dad passed away 11 years ago and the gun went to my brother initially and neither of us was old enough in the 60s to recall this detail...), but I expect it did, since the two position safety suggests the gun was intended for a scope. My younger brother has the 1200 model, as it happens, and the low rings work fine. He asked me why I needed high rings and I said 'because'. With high rings the scope handle just nicely misses the scope without the thumb having to be moved off the end of the bolt.

The stock has the schnabel forend with similar cheek piece like all the 'others'. I am convinced this is the key clue here. I have not seen another 'original' stock like it. Ever.

 

[tiriaq]

With the reworked miltary receiver, the rifle is an early one. The bolt is likely a reworked military pattern bolt, with the bolt handle forged and reshaped. This is likely why the high rings are necessary. I've seen other PHs that would only work with high rings. Later versions had purpose made sporting bolts, the curve and knob are different, and the handle is backswept. The two position safety on the bolt plug means that the bolt plug is also military pattern, and not the steamlined FN sporter type used on later rifles. These will have a side mounted thumb safety incorporated into the diecast trigger mechanism.
PH did sell rifles with a schnabel forend treatment, including some late production ones.
I recall one PH rifle that we sold through the shop that I thought was quite a serious rifle. It was a plain jane .375 H&H, a professional hunter's working rifle. Had the express type rear sight, non monte carlo stock, three position wing safety, and modified floorplate release, so that the catch could not be inadvertedly tripped during recoil. Serious working rifle. Handled well.
One of the more interesting PHs I encountered was an early one built up on the same pattern action as yours, but in .222. Getting a full sized Mauser to work reliably as a repeater in this calibre must have taken a bit of work. Doubt that they made too many of these.

 

[woodlotowner]

With the reworked miltary receiver, the rifle is an early one. The bolt is likely a reworked military pattern bolt, with the bolt handle forged and reshaped. This is likely why the high rings are necessary. I've seen other PHs that would only work with high rings. Later versions had purpose made sporting bolts, the curve and knob are different, and the handle is backswept. The two position safety on the bolt plug means that the bolt plug is also military pattern, and not the steamlined FN sporter type used on later rifles. These will have a side mounted thumb safety incorporated into the diecast trigger mechanism.
PH did sell rifles with a schnabel forend treatment, including some late production ones.
I recall one PH rifle that we sold through the shop that I thought was quite a serious rifle. It was a plain jane .375 H&H, a professional hunter's working rifle. Had the express type rear sight, non monte carlo stock, three position wing safety, and modified floorplate release, so that the catch could not be inadvertedly tripped during recoil. Serious working rifle. Handled well.
One of the more interesting PHs I encountered was an early one built up on the same pattern action as yours, but in .222. Getting a full sized Mauser to work reliably as a repeater in this calibre must have taken a bit of work. Doubt that they made too many of these.

I consider it the family heirloom. The action is one of the nicest bolt actions I have encountered. The controlled feed has never done anything but feed flawlessly. My hand loads bring out the best in it. I will leave it in my will to my daughter who is also a hunter. It shoots very very well.

My brother's model 1200 has the side tang style safety BTW. My floor plate has a well recessed release that is somewhat less than convenient to operate, so I just cycle unspent rounds out of the magazine at the end of a hunt. Your bolt observations are valued and interesting. This PH does have a slightly upward and rearward swept bolt, but, at risk of repeating myself, will only accommodate a vari-scope utilizing high rings.

No worries gentlemen. I'm just going to enjoy it as it is. I sure enjoy CGN and the fine folks herein.

 

[Why not?]

That is the important thing. Being your dad's rifle, especially, you will certainly be able to enjoy it even more in the years down the road.

Glad you have it set up and functioning properly.

Ted

 

[dan belisle]

I consider it the family heirloom. The action is one of the nicest bolt actions I have encountered. The controlled feed has never done anything but feed flawlessly. My hand loads bring out the best in it. I will leave it in my will to my daughter who is also a hunter. It shoots very very well.

My brother's model 1200 has the side tang style safety BTW. My floor plate has a well recessed release that is somewhat less than convenient to operate, so I just cycle unspent rounds out of the magazine at the end of a hunt. Your bolt observations are valued and interesting. This PH does have a slightly upward and rearward swept bolt, but, at risk of repeating myself, will only accommodate a vari-scope utilizing high rings.

No worries gentlemen. I'm just going to enjoy it as it is. I sure enjoy CGN and the fine folks herein.

I have a few of these (308 NM, 30-06, 308 Win). Early versions as mentioned were built with surplus military actions. Your floor plate is a standard military plate slightly cleaned up for commercial sale. They really are nice, useful rifles, and I personally prefer the early versions. - dan

 

[camster]

Enjoy!

Thanks all for, yet again, tuition-free learning for me!

 

[gunrunner100]

I still have a soft spot for the PH rifles. I bought my first "serious" rifle close to 30 years ago, a used 1200C in 308 Win.
Since then, I've had several and only own one now, a 243.
I would really like to find one in 222!

 

[woodlotowner]

I found another like my PH on the other Parker Hale thread. Same Safari De Luxe, same stock, same sling. Did I mention it's the same. Fellow goes by Drache. If you are interested go take a look. His is in .308 Norma mag. He seems to know how to post pics too...

 

[chalkriver]

Thanks Baribal for the pics....I finally know what type of Parker Hale my Dad gave me .

Its looks exactly like the C1303D but it is in 30.06 cal ...same wood and engraving,hinged floor plate, BMP stamped on the barrel and receiver, SAFARI stamped on the barrel, parker-hale birmingham england on barrel, serial number z-(then 5 digits)..my dad bought it in Edmonton in the 1960,s

Morgan

 

[Baribal]

chalkriver,

We can't date a PH rifle from the SN. The only way to do it, it's with the Private Viewer's mark (see previous quotes and pics).

Now, the C1303D is the actual "ancestor" of the 1200 series, and it's was based on demilitarized No 1 Mk III(*). They're nice rifles, though.

See below for more models / pictures of the Mauser PH rifles.