No checking visible on 1910 VH forend

[allen newell]

I looked at a gents 12 ga VH grade 30" barreled (frame #2) Parker yesterday. The gun was pretty worn and would be an expensive restoration but was still tight and all original.

Best I could determine this gun was made in 1910. There was checkering remaining on the pistol grip but worn very thin from heavy use. On the forend however and even when I put my cheater glasses on I could not discern any checking. Either it was completely worn down or the gun was made this way.

Is there any chance that Parker would not have checkered the forend?

[Dean Romig]

A good many forends have been broken in half at the latch due to people gripping or slamming the forend forward of the latch when the lug was not lined up with the slot in the iron.

The serial number would be stamped into the wood beneath the iron if it is original.

Re: having been made without checkering, we never say "never" when it comes to Parker shotguns.

[allen newell]

I did not remove the forend iron Dean but the screws on this gun do not look to have ever been turned or messed with. The wood is original in my opinion. I doubt I'll buy the gun in any event as Brad is in the process of restoring a similar one for me but if the old gent wants to unload it for very short money, I might be tempted to pick it up and save for a day down the line when I might put a couple of bucks into restoring it. Again though, why would I need another 30" VH? f/f. Can only shoot one of these at a time. Happy T-Day.

[Todd Kaltenbach]

I have seen hammer guns that had no checkering but never a VH so I would be surprised if a VH left the factory without checkering but I have learned not to say never when it comes to Parkers.

[Brian Dudley]

The forend on a VH SHOULD be checkered with the double diamond pattern that has the checkering touching the latch all around. Grades GH and above have a small (approx. 1/4") border around the forend latch.

The point I try to make is that it is easier for higher grade guns with that border to wear to a point where checkering may be completely gone. But, the VH and PH guns with checkering going right up to the latch would be very difficult to wear down to the point where it looks uncheckered. Some trace of checkering would be visible at the edge of the latch. Unless the wood is very below the metal.

[paul stafford jr]

I have recut checkering on a lot of worn out forends, many have almost no lines but I can always find some. maybe it was sanded down or replaced, as long as it fits well it can be re-checkered, not a big problem if you like the gun , I am always in favor of saving an old parker. but I have a soft spot for grade 2 guns.