Looking at a 20 VH

[Bo Butler]

I am looking at a 20 gauge VH to purchase and I wonder if anyone would have any info on how the gun came from the factory.
SN - 149375
Date -1908
Currently:
26" barrels
Choked mod/mod

I will not get to see the gun until tomorrow, and just looking for any info that might help evaluate this gun.

Thanks
Bo

[Bindlestiff]

As you stated with capped pistol grip.

[Bo Butler]

Thanks much for the info. Wanted to make sure it had not been cut. Looking forward to checking it out.

Thanks

[Kensal Rise]

Mr. Butler:
You simply cannot be sure of the chokes unless they are measured with a bore mic. Not a simple "plug gauge." No rain intended on your find, but many of these old guns have been honed and/or polished to enhance bore condition. This can often change choke.

I point this up because M & M is an unusual boring for a short 20. But... stranger things have happened.

Good luck!

[Scott Gentry]

I thought Bindlestiff confirmed mod/ mod was how it left factory?

[Bo Butler]

Thanks Kensal Rise. I will check it thoroughly. It's an old gun and you're correct, there's no telling what may have happened to it in 106 years. If restriction measures close to .02 as I have been told, then I will assume that chokes are close to factory specs as Bindlestiff stated.

[Kensal Rise]

Unless someone has access to Parker's actual record/order books, there is no sure way of telling what the original chokes were. The Parker Serialization book does not list this aspect. Of course, I may not have access to the records that some may...

[Chris T.]

Hi Bo, .020" in each barrel would make a pretty neat gun. Don't forget to get us some pictures if you bring it home.

[Bindlestiff]

Sorry about missing the choke info. The Parker records do not record the choke. The Ser# book confirmed the grade, gauge, stock style and barrel length and that all looked correct.

You can measure the chokes to see what they are but you will not be able to tell what they were.

[Bo Butler]

Understood. Thanks Bindlestiff