Trojan vs VH

[Tom Will]

What are the differences in these 2 models.

[Dean Romig]

Tom, go to the PGCA Home Page and click on the tab on the left for Parker Grades.
Scroll to the bottom of the page to find Trojan and the grade above the Trojan is the VH or 0-grade.

[Dave Suponski]

Tom,I will take a stab at this question. The Trojan grade(OV) was introduced by Parker in 1912 as a lower cost double gun. The gun featured a distinctly less sculpted frame,plain straight grain wood,no grip cap,extractors only and a plain ribbed butt plate. The gun was available in 20,16 and 12 gauge only.The barrel lengths offered were 26"28"and 30"only.They were(until almost the end of production)double trigger guns.No extras were offered.

The VH(GradeO) on the other hand had the distinct Parker sculpted frame,was available in gauges from .410-10 gauge.This grade gun was available with ALL the options ie: single trigger,recoil pad,ejectors or later a vent rib.Barrel lengths were generally 26"-32" although shorter or longer could be ordered.

This is just a brief description and maybe some of the boys will chime in here.I'm tired of typing.....:)

[Dean Romig]

The forend of the Trojan was a spring-loaded snap on fit while the the VH and all grades above it had a Deely style release latch for removing the forend.

There is a special tool available for the removal of the Trojan forend without the risk of chipping or splitting the wood at the tip of the Trojan forend.

[Rodney Sayre]

sorry for jumping in unannounced but may be you know the answer to a problem for a new, really new member. Why does my 1903 VH 2 grade have the best Carciasian Wood on the stock and a added beaver fore arm? would this have been done by parker? conjecture if any one cares to say? please

[Rodney Sayre]

I bought the parker book and recenty reserched it for an answer, but was left with more questions than answers. Why would someone put that type of high grade wood on a field gun?

[Dean Romig]

Okay Rodney, first - the VH was not a Grade 2, the Grade 2 is a GH. The VH is a Grade 0, the PH is a Grade 1 and so on...

Why don't you post the serial number or pictures and we'll render our opinions about the wood and the grade of your Parker... but pictures are, as they say, worth a thousand words.

[Rodney Sayre]

Sorry for breaking in Tom but the parker Book is a treasure of knowledge on the Parkers Trojan verses the VH and better grades

[Dean Romig]

Why would someone put that type of high grade wood on a field gun?


Some of us are silly like that...:cool:

[Rodney Sayre]

Thanks for the correction on the O grade I knew that but stand corrected. Thanks As soon as I figure out how to upload the pictures I would love to have your opinion. As I said I am brand new at this.. Any present thoughts while I am learning how to navigate?

[Rodney Sayre]

I am one of those who are silly, I unlike patton put Pearl handels on my guns, I just sent my parker to Turnbull and paid 250 to have a pachmyer kick pad removed and the original dog head replaced. Yeh I am like that, that is why the question? I had this gun for 20 years. The wood had to be changed years ago?

[Rodney Sayre]

Dean as a life member you must have seen a bunch of parkers . Ever seen a VH with that wood?

[Dave Suponski]

Present thoughts? How about this? Rodney you are showing signs of a very mysterious and financially devastating disease known as Parkeritis. Sorry son there is no known cure....:banghead:

[Dave Suponski]

Dean,Do we have any of the Trojan tools in stock yet? I need one down here son.

[Rodney Sayre]

my serial # is 115196 The research letter said it was from march 1903 shipped to MN , I bought it out of a garage sale in Wva 20 years ago and am still in shock . I still paid $800 at that time which was a lot for me at that time. It is in very good condition but was refinished some.

[Rodney Sayre]

Yes, I know but I have loved double guns since I killed my first squiril at age 8, I am now 63 and own 10 doubles.....

[Dean Romig]

There are many, many Parkers with replaced and upgraded wood. It is not unusual at all. The thing that would be unusual on a low grade Parker like a VH would be a perfect job in fit and finish of the replaced wood as well as period correct checkering, butt treatment, shape and contour of true Parker lines.

[Rodney Sayre]

how do I up load pictures?

[Tom Will]

Thanks for the information. I don't know why I didn't see the Grades section, (DAH). I have a 1924 Trojan and just got some RST shell and hope to shoot it Sun. It will be my first Parker experience. I can't wait. The barrel flats are marked JG in a circle, OV, looks like wt over A and 4 with 12 2 on the lug and a w between the lugs. It's a nice gun with traces of case with a Hawkins pad added. LOP with pad at 14 1/8 so I am assuming stock was cut. No problem as I really want to shoot some birds with it. Thanks agian
Tom
I forgot what about this tool? I don't want to damage the forearm. It is really tight getting on and off.

[Rodney Sayre]

Peter at turnbulls was impressed with the job but said it was not done by Degreco as some one else had thought.

[Dean Romig]

Yours is probably the most common configuration for the VH. Twenty years ago $800 for a VH would have been a pretty tall price but condition is everything. You say it is in very good condition but was refinished some... sure hope you can get some pictures up for us. If you can't get pictures uploaded here you can e-mail them to me and I will post them

dsromig@aol.com

[Dean Romig]

Yes Dave, I have an ample supply of the forend tools.

[Rodney Sayre]

thanks i will try the email route

[Dave Suponski]

Mr.Romig....You have my address right? Or should I just come and fetch one and OH YA some cookies.....:bowdown:

[Rodney Sayre]

It did not work I will try to go off line in my aol account and try again? thanks for your paitence..

[Dean Romig]

I'll send the cookies with the tool...

Let's see now... twenty-five bucks for the cookies - $4.50 for the tool and then there's the postage.

How 'bout we forget the cookies this time and I'll send the tool for $6.00 ?
If you want a rawhide lanyard on it $9.00 will do it all including shipping.

[Tom Will]

Dean, I'd like one. I sent you an email.
Tom

[Rodney Sayre]

I was able to send one photo of the wood grain, via aol ??????????????

[Dean Romig]

Here's Rodney's VH stock.

[Rodney Sayre]

ok i sent the photos

[Dean Romig]

Now here's my initial opinion... That is very representative of the grade of walnut used on Trojan and VH stocks. I am not yet convinced that it is replacement wood. We need more pics of the checkering and the fit at the head of the stock.

[Rodney Sayre]

As ststed I had the pad replaced with a copy, but they said the pistol grip was original

[Rodney Sayre]

ok the pics are coming . In the Parker book the american walnut is so much different.. Mine is just like the wood on page 195 fig 7.1 book 1??????

[Rodney Sayre]

I would be happy with original wood but originally did it did not have a beaver tail right and it is the same wood????

[Rodney Sayre]

gun has vulcan steeel barrels, 30 in both full 141/4drop and still apears to be that measurement by a novice????
I see said the blind man .. I respect an honest opion, even if it hurts.
I think the frame was blued but I am not sure it is very black blue to be that old but it matches the barrels
Type of wood american walnut or circasian??? got an opinion any one and everyone?? So, you think this was not done by Parker?

[Dean Romig]

Rodney, rather than posting replies to your own posts, simply click edit at the bottom of your last post and add info or more comments.

Here's the rest of Rodney's VH


.

[Dean Romig]

Okay, the forend is a replacement and not done in original Parker style.
The stock looks original to me albeit with new checkering. The checkering is very well done and is extremely close to original Parker style but the LPI is too fine to be original.
I can't tell if the frame is blued or just has very dark color case hardened finish.

[tom leshinsky]

The checkering doesn't look original , no mullered borders.

[Rodney Sayre]

thanks so much for all the replies and info guys:)

[Jack Cronkhite]

I'll send the cookies with the tool...

Let's see now... twenty-five bucks for the cookies - $4.50 for the tool and then there's the postage.

How 'bout we forget the cookies this time and I'll send the tool for $6.00 ?
If you want a rawhide lanyard on it $9.00 will do it all including shipping.

I asked for one of these, as my fingers give me a lot of grief when trying to take off the Trojan forend. It is a very tight fit. The tool with lanyard arrived today. The first thing one has to do with a new tool of any sort is give it a go. This is a simple tool and with simplicity often comes functionality. With minimal pressure, the tool slides under the forend and almost magically, the forend lifts and is released. The material is softer than steel or wood and very smooth, so very little likelihood of marring anything. I'm very pleased I read this thread. Thanks Dean.

Jack

[Dean Romig]

Thank you Jack, I'm glad you (and your fingers) like it. I'm surprised it took so long for it to get to you - but the best part is that you got it.

Best, Dean

[Jack Cronkhite]

Since 9/11, I'm getting pretty used to anything coming from south of the 49th to take time. Ditto for sending from here to there.(Except the ducks and geese - they do not recognize the border)