12ga VH

[Bob Hayes]

Well went thru 2 turkey seasons and months prior and looking forward to the Southern SXS.Got there and was a little overwhelmed.I guess I was in the usual gun show frame of mind.Anyhow I got the parker bug a year ago and met some people at show I had met here online.Show was more than I had hoped and have big plans for the next one.
I was there looking for a shooter and got completely side tracked at every table.Left the show with nothing but now I know.Got home Sunday and unpacked,relaxed or tried.It hit me that turkey season was over for me and now summer was already here(90 degree temps in Florida).
So today I went to a local gun/archery shop and found this on the wall.Nice 12ga vh that looks to be original except for the barrels.
So here it is lets hear any thoughts.I'll get better pics in a day or so.
Already sent for letter.

[Rick Losey]

nice find -

what are the specs? Frame size, barrels?

[Brian Dudley]

Barrels are reblued for sure. Hard to tell from the photos, but they look kinda shiny.
They are uncut. The twin beads do not look original either.

Everything else looks to be good honest wear.

[Bob Hayes]

Its 2 frame,30" vulcan barrels,14 1/4"lop,double bead(look new) with barrel finish.
Book says the same.Wonder what chambers,its a 1904 gun.

[Bob Hayes]

I noticed the barrels right away but I figured everything else look good.And for the price couldn't pass up.Feels good and tight and throws up good for me.

[Brian Dudley]

Just check the ribs. With barrels that look like that, I would suspect hot bluing. See if they ring. Check for movement in the ribs and look for any sign of shiny solder in places where it may have gotten softened and seeped out when blued.

[Bob Hayes]

They ring and are solid no signs of solder or seep on rib.Beads do look new and are probably plastic I suspect.Is there any way to tell ivory from plastic?

[Rick Losey]

Is there any way to tell ivory from plastic?

heat a needle red hot and push it into the part- plastic melts, ivory doesn't

of course the downside is - if its plastic - you'll need a new one :)

the test is better done on larger pieces in an unobtrusive spot

[Brian Dudley]

If it is pure bright white with no color variation or lines in it, then it is plastic.

[Frank Childrey]

Just a thought on the beads: I often use ivory micarta on knife handles; it holds up well, doesn't crack or split, and certainly looks like "the real thing." One can find this product at all knife-making suppliers, and the colors range from ivory white to antique mammoth.

[Bill Murphy]

I have heard it said that Lyman Ivory Beads are not always, and maybe not ever, ivory. Leave your beads alone. The chambers are the length they measure.

[Bob Hayes]

Got letter yesterday,that was fast.It states gun is original in specs it has now.Nothing special which is fine.It shipped the day after it was ordered 110 years ago.That was some customer service back then.I'm sure a stock gun with so many in that configuration.Now to go shoot some clays maybe a few pen quail.