Hello all. I have long been an admirer of classic doubles and own a few more modern examples but decided it was time to scratch the Parker itch. While a 20 or 16 gauge would be my preference, I decided to dip my toes in at the lower end of the budget. A recent online auction had what appeared to be a steal of a 12ga VH and I made an impulse bid and won. I had no grand visions of a highly collectible version, just wanted a solid example that I could hopefully shoot and enjoy while I figure out what to get next.
I knew by the photos that it had a recoil pad added and a stock cross bolt that did not appear original. I also suspected there was a good chance it had been shortened with barrels listed at 26 inches but took the plunge anyway.
Upon inspecting there are some characteristics that have me puzzled. The serial number on the trigger guard and action flat code to a 1900 version with a 'V' that I assume designates the grade. Serial #93xxx. Upon removal, the forend iron has a serial number that seems to trace to a 1902 model #108xxx. So it's a parts gun. No big deal as again, I feel I paid very little. The firing pin holes measure ~1.125 which I take to be a #2 frame.
The stock is straight-grained with a later recoil pad added. The LOP to the front trigger is 14 1/2 including pad and spacer or ~13 3/8 to the edge of the wood. There is a grip cap with no markings. I am not sure if it is an original stock as it seems to have less drop than I expected for a gun built in 1900 but there are the faintest remnants of checkering on the grip and around the forend iron that can be seen. Clearly both stock and forend have been refinished at some point and other than the lack of checkering, no other obvious issues. The wood to metal fit is pretty nice with no obvious gaps or sanded of corners. The aforementioned cross bolt right behind the action is interesting as I'm not sure of its purpose. It resemble the cross bolt you would expect to see at the lug area of a bolt action rifle stock. there are no obvious cracks or repairs in this area.
Here's where things get interesting. The barrels have none of what I understand to be standard Parker markings. The rib is swamped and completely smooth. No pattern and no markings of any sort. The barrel lug has no number to designate size unless it has been sanded off. The barrel flats have no markings whatsoever. The only markings on the bottom of the barrels are the number '554' on the left barrel ahead of the flat and what appears to be proof marks on the underside of each barrel. '554' does not match the last 3 of the serial number. I can't tell exactly what the characters are in the proof marks but there appears to be a star at the top of each. The barrels appear to be well fitted to the action and on face. The lever is well to the right. The barrel finish is exceptionally nice and looks newer than it should with no pitting and virtually no wear. If it is a refinish it is nicely done with no excess polishing or waves in the barrel. It gives the appearance of a rust blue but I can't be sure. The bores are immaculate. I expected it may be cut off at 26" but a crude measurement of the bores at the muzzle with calipers shows the right barrel at ~.710 and the left at ~.695. I know this is not the accurate way to measure chokes but it seems to indicate there are chokes. I am really puzzled by the lack of markings on the barrels but I can't imagine any other shotgun barrels being modified to fit a Parker and I don't think the marking are just polished off based on the depth of the number '554' that does remain.
Any insight to my mystery parts gun? Did Parker ever make barrels without marking the flats or the rib? Is is possible it was sent back to the factory to be re-barreled? Thanks for any info anyone wishes to share.
08-09-2023, 06:07 AM
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