Parker chokes...

[Brian Drake]

Hi guys, I picked up what appears to be an all-original Parker VH 1 1/2 frame 12 gauge in great shape, made around 1927. Using a simple brass choke gauge, the left barrel gauges modified, while the right barrel gauges cylinder. It is my limited understanding that cylinder is not a common choke for Parkers. What is the likelihood that the bore(s) has/have been opened-up, and is there a way to tell? Thanks!

Brian

[Chuck Bishop]

There are many instances of customers requesting cylinder in the RH barrel and modified/full in the LH barrel. There won't be any information regarding your guns chokes in our records because the order books stopped in 1919 and the stock books changed format in 1925 and did not record choke configuration info in the new format.

[Rick Losey]

Brian

It may just be a sign that whoever ordered your gun knew what he was doing, that is a pretty effective upland combination.

I have a earlier gun which the letter shows was returned to be opened up.

So either way, good combination

[Paul Harm]

The only way of getting an accurate reading is with a bore mic. It's how many thousands constriction of the muzzle opening compared to the bore diameter. A lot of chokes are opened up latter from the muzzle end. This leaves a longer parallel at the end. A good smith can see this just by looking down the barrel, or with a mic it could be checked. The now standard 12ga bore is .729, but many are over bored up to around .735 to .740. That's why a mic is needed. I have a Parker top lever hammer gun that has .744 bores. I believe that back then a little over size damascus tubes weren't thrown away - they were finish bored from the breech end and the amount of constriction was left for the chokes they wanted. Have a good gun smith look at them. Good luck.

[Robert Dillon]

What a timely thread. I am seriously considering the purchase of Parker GH 57109 that is stated to have open chokes, cyl and cyl. It's at the local Cabala's now waiting on me to get there with all my gauges for inspection. I had it shipped from Grand Junction, CO. The home page shows that there are surviving records for this Parker, but it would be oh so sweet if the existing chokes matched the letter. When it was in CO, I asked the guy there if there was the tell tale "line" before the end of the barrels, and he said it was there. So I'm assuming original 30" length, but I won't know until I get there. I would post the Cabelas reference # , to get the experts opinon, but I don't know if that's allowed.

[Rick Losey]

Some one with the book handy (my copy is not) maybe able to confirm the barrel length

But 30 is pretty common

[James L. Martin]

57109 not listed in the book

[Rich Anderson]

I have a DHE 20 thats choked cyl in the right barrel and IC in the left a deadly Grouse set up and CHE & DH 16's that letter Cyl & Full. The CHE has 28 inch barrels while the DH has 26.

[Dean Romig]

"Cylinder" choked right barrels are relatively common in Parkers.

I have a set of Damascus 10 ga. 30" 2-frame barrels I have fitted to my DH and they are choked a tight Mod in the right barrel and Cyl in the left.

[Rich Anderson]

Dean I would think that would be a good choice for waterfowl over decoys as your first shot would be at the bird thats farther away.

[Mark Ouellette]

I own a 8 pound Henry Atkin 10 gauge with cylinder and full choke constriction. It is wicked on pheasants!

[Rich Anderson]

You still have that thing????:eek:

I have 2 sub 6lb 20's both English guns choked IC/M and they are wicked on Pheasants also:rotf::rotf::rotf:

[Dean Romig]

I had the same thoughts Rich.

Any long packages under your tree???

[Rich Anderson]

I have a custom rifle project thats been in the works for over a year and that will be finished soon, other than that no long boxes for me. I have decided that there are enough guns and my goal is to save that money and spend it hunting when I retire next October 1.

[Mark Ouellette]

You still have that thing????:eek:

I have 2 sub 6lb 20's both English guns choked IC/M and they are wicked on Pheasants also:rotf::rotf::rotf:


Sub 6 lb ? Heck Rich did you break your arm? :rotf:

[Rich Anderson]

No my arm is fine but thanks for asking:rolleyes: I djust don't need to lug an 8lb 10 guage for anything. They were made so one could sit on his butt and shoot incoming ducks and geese. Bring that thing to the U.P. for Grouse next fall and see how it works out for you.:whistle:

[Brian Drake]

Thanks a bunch for the input guys. It's good to know that a cylinder-choked right barrel is not uncommon, and may even likely be factory.

Brian

[Mark Ouellette]

Brian,

An open barrel will shoot larger shot in a tighter pattern than it will smaller shot.

Mark

[charlie cleveland]

except buckshot bb and no 2 s...the full choke is still the best for these loads... charlie

[David Lien]

Brian,

An open barrel will shoot larger shot in a tighter pattern than it will smaller shot. :)

Mark

Well said Mark, also if you start revving up the velocity the open choke will often shoot much better than the tighter choke. I have found this to be true in 10 Gauge with Lead #s 3 2 1 AND BB size shot... Some 10 Ga. barrels will shoot Lead BBs the very best with .020 to .022 Choke. Unbelievable long range patterns... Not just my opinion, the folks at Briley have this figured out also,,,
David

[Brian Drake]

Well guys, thanks again. I took this shotgun to AZ for a couple of days of chasing Gambel's quail using Federal 3 dr./1 1/8 oz. paper shotshells, and that choke combination was quite effective. I can see why there is a dedicated Parker following.