A Parker VH restored

[Mike Phelps]

I wanted to share a few pictures of my Parker VH 12 gauge I recently had restored by Brian Dudley.

The restoration did not start with Brian as I wasn't aware he was in the business so to speak when I started looking. It was originally going to go Dewey Vicknair and was actually in his queue for about a year when he decided to close up shop. At that point I shopped around a bit and thanks to the forum, found Brian.

I shipped him my shotgun in mid January and 8 months (to the day!) it arrived back. The work he did was quite outstanding and I'll let the pictures speak for themselves. His prices were also reasonable and not over the top. Some of the issues I found when shopping around were multi year waits and prices that were 2 to 3 times the value of the gun. The gun is a family heirloom and I wanted it to be restored to working condition, not into a safe queen. I will say that everyone I spoke to regarding restorations were helpful and honest in their waits, abilities and expectations.

Some things I wanted to point in the photos are the fitting of the stock and reuse of my existing parts to help retain a used look. Brian also did fantastic work on cleaning up a gouge in the forend and matching the finish and grain of the forend to the stock. I was really worried about it being obvious. I declined to have the shield engraved (no idea if anything was ever there) and am really happy on how it turned out. The balance and fit is still great.

I would definitely recommend Brian to anyone looking for restoration work. I even had enough money leftover to buy some clays and a case of shells from RST. I'm really looking forward to taking it out and shooting it.

Before pictures:
http://parkerguns.org/forums/album.php?albumid=483

After pictures
http://parkerguns.org/forums/album.php?albumid=484

During restoration
http://parkerguns.org/forums/album.php?albumid=485

Brian's photos
http://parkerguns.org/forums/album.php?albumid=482

[Frank Cronin]

That looks awesome!

[Mike Phelps]

Thanks! Don't tell the gun, but she's 112.

[Dean Romig]

Very, very nice job! BIG compliments to Brian on a perfect checkering job - very 'Parker like' and kudos on the excellent job on the 'nose of the comb' - one of the best I've seen on a replacement stock!

[allen newell]

Brian's stock work is outstanding!

[Dennis V. Nix]

Brian and Mike that is one outstanding job. That is how I would want to do a couple of my guns. I don't have the money to make them look brand spanking new but I do want to clean then up and make them somewhat better looking.

Congratulations on great work. Another thread shows a beater shotgun. In my opinion your gun takes the beater of the week award.

Dennis

[David Holes]

Thanks Brian for your service to us PGCA members. Its nice to see your workmanship. Dave

[Larry Frey]

I even had enough money leftover to buy some clays and a case of shells from RST. I'm really looking forward to taking it out and shooting it.

Mike,
Brian did a great job on your family heirloom. Seeing as you are in the Hartford area you should come to Addieville this weekend, buy some shells from RST, (they will be there so save shipping) and help team Parker defeat those Fox guys. Brian will also be there and has in fact donated a $100.00 gift certificate for his services to our silent auction. Hope to see you there.

[wayne goerres]

Looks like brian brought another one back from the dead. The stock looks great.

[Mills Morrison]

Brian has my DH 10 nearing completion, so we will post photos when it is done as well.

[Richard Flanders]

That is very pretty. Good job Brian. Someone sure went to a lot of trouble cobbling that stock together in the past! You do what it takes sometimes.

[Mike Phelps]

Thanks for the compliments. It was neat seeing the rather quick transformation by Brian. As for earlier repairs, I think my grandfather grafted the piece which I'm guessing then broke elsewhere, hence the screws. It came to me wrapped in hockey tape with the advice not to shoot it.

Thanks for the info about this weekend. I will unfortunately not be able to go. I haven't had much practice either. Does anyone recommend ranges in CT?

[Dean Romig]

Wallingford is a really nice sporting clays course with some challenging targets and it is often open to the public. Some of the regulars at Wallingford can answer questions better than I.

You can shoot AA's in your gun without a problem.

[Larry Frey]

Mike,
As Dean said we get together at Wallingford Rod and Gun Club quite often to shoot our Parkers on their clays course. Use this link http://wallingfordrodandgunclub.org/ and click on sporting clays for their schedule. PM me or Dave if you plan to shoot their.