12 Ga 26 in Barrels

[Gerald McPherson]

Are these unusual? Do they usually add value?

[Rick Losey]

i do not think they are "unusual" but not the most common- and many that are currently 26 did not leave the factory that way

i doubt they add value in the current market which trends to longer tubes

[Jim Thoma]

I have a 12 gauge PHE with 26 inch original barells that weighs 6lbs 10oz and its a late production gun serial #225903 had it completely restored by delgrego a few years ago and he said that it was a rare gun because they did not make that many in that configuration Larry told me to hold on to it

[Dean Romig]

Twist Steel or Parker Steel?

Parker Steel barrels would be rare in 26"





.

[Gerald McPherson]

It is a vh original. One that I have used so many years that I can not remember. Never thought about the 26 inch being unusual just realized that I do not see them advertised often. The size and balance suits me very well.

[Dean Romig]

Sorry, in reading Jim's reply I was thinking yours was a PH as well. So yours is most likely to have Vulcan Steel barrels and though 26" is not as common as 28" and 30" it is not especially uncommon in a VH.





.

[Gerald McPherson]

Seems I read somewhere that about 2 percent had 26 inch barrels in the VH grade.

[Harold Lee Pickens]

25 years ago, the 26" barrels seemed to fetch more, now the longer barrels are in demand.
In my opinion, it is because of the demise of much of our upland hunting, such as the decline in the grouse and quail populations. Open chokes and lighter guns were popular.
With fewer game birds, we now shoot sporting clays, etc where the longer barrels really shine..
I have a DHE 16 and a VH 20 both ordered with 26" cyl/mod chokes, both O frames, these were/are real upland bird guns. A lightweight 26" 12 ga would make a great gun for all day carry in the plains for pheasant, sharptails , etc
Wow, just saw Al Limone's PH 12, 1 frame, w/ 26" in the for sale listing--that's a beauty!!

[Brian Dudley]

26" barrels in 12g would be special order and consodered non-standard. So, from a true collectors view given numbers of guns built, they would be rarer and might result in a price adder if the gun is in high condition.

From a shooting standpoint for a gun that is going to be used, it is all the opinion of the person wanting to buy the gun as to how valuable 26" barrels are or arent.

[Richard Flanders]

I have four original 26" 12ga Parkers - two VH, a VH 2-bbl 26/30in. set, and a GHE. I can't imagine being without a 26" gun. Except on duck hunting trips, regardless of what else I take, I always include a 26" or shorter Parker. I consider the 26" 12ga guns to be pretty rare. You really don't see many advertised for sale.

[Larry Frey]

As stated, most people shooting the various clays games, myself included prefer longer barrels but a nice light 12 gage for hunting is hard to beat. The 26" CE and DHE below letter at 6# 4oz and 6# 7oz respectively and are a joy to carry and shoot.

[Rick Losey]

are a joy to carry and shoot.
and a joy to look at

[Gerald McPherson]

This gun is about all I have used through the last 25 years or so for doves, quail and woodcock. Although is seems to be choked IM & Full it shoots well in the brush as well as in the field on doves. I have always shot 1 oz no. 6 Winchester 2 3/4 shells from Walmart. I have killed doves that amazed me often. This past season I killed one that fell at least 125 yards from where I shot. I am by no means a good shot but it makes me look better than I am.

[Gary Laudermilch]

I have a P, 26" twist and at 6-10 it handles like a 20. Recoil is a bit stout with anything over 7/8 oz. However, with the light loads I can hit as well as any longer barrelled gun. It is a delight in the grouse woods as well.

[Gerald McPherson]

WOW DP is all I can say. Mine is not high condition just honest. I have worn the patina off. I just threw away a pair of hunting pants that had a large hole in the left leg from laying the barrels there but that is ok. I have a new pair just hope I live long enough to wear a hole in them.

[Gerald McPherson]

I have a GH full and fuller 30 inch. I don't want to talk about how I do with it. May try it on the turkeys with the same load. I think it will do the job if I can hit the big boy.

[Jim Thoma]

To answer Deans question my PHE is parker steel barrels

[Dean Romig]

Quite rare - Only 60 ever made.






.

[John Allen]

When I started trading guns in the late 1960s,26" guns brought a big premium because they were scarce and great hunting guns.Now 30" and 32" guns bring more money due to the influence of sporting clays shooting.The longer barrels swing better on those long crossing shots or the tower shots.

[Rich Anderson]

I have owned one 26 inch 12ga, a GHE skeet. If there is one 26 inch barreled gun there are a dozen in the safe but all are small bores. I haven't hunted with a 12 in a very, very, very long time. That being said I did enjoy some Quail hunting recently with a 30 inch Stephan Grant hammer gun using RST 2 inch shells which has gotten me to thinking of a British game gun. :eek:

[Paul Ehlers]

C.O.B touched on it. The one exception I see is the original 26" Parker skeet guns. They do seem to bring a bit of a premium in the current market.

[William Davis]

I have a 26 inch VHE on a 1 1/2 Frame all original and glad I own it. Considering how many Parkers were cut and "opened up" must have been some demand for short range guns. It's special purpose though and prefer longer barrels and tighter chokes. When I use it at the Boykin club training sessions or Roustabout the non SxS shooters always drool over it. Doubt if they would look twice at a 30 inch gun.

Paid less for the 26 than my 30 inch VH in better condition or my 28 inch Trojan 20 in less condition. Value is what it's worth to the individual some like them some don't.

William

[Gerald McPherson]

I think the size of the shooter has a lot to do with preference.

[Dean Romig]

I'm 5' 11" and weigh 216 lbs. and prefer 26" barrels.... Next?






.

[Rich Anderson]

I much prefer the 26 inch tubes for upland bird hunting. 28's are fine for both grouse and pheasant and there are a couple of nice ones around here, for targets I like 30 to 32. A 32 inch 16 and 20 are two of my favorites.

[Bill Holcombe]

I am 6'4" 235 and like em 28 inches and 34 inches.

[Phillip Carr]

I like my 24" and 26" barrels for bird hunting over the dogs. A lot of the shots I get are close and fast. Now for dove shooting, nothing beats the Parker VH 20 with 32" barrels that Chris restocked for me several years ago.

[Gerald McPherson]

Well Dean that shot my theory didn't it. I'm 5-6 and weigh 190, but I have noticed a lot of small people drive really big trucks. Go figure.

[Dean Romig]

Well Dean that shot my theory didn't it. I'm 5-6 and weigh 190, but I have noticed a lot of small people drive really big trucks. Go figure.


And some guys even drive Corvettes..... go figure indeed. :whistle:






.

[Gerald McPherson]

Dean; I've never driven a Corvette but I went for a ride in one once. Never again. 160 mph is too fast for me on a 2 lane road.

[tom tutwiler]

I once owned a PH 12 gauge with Damascus 26" barrels in nice shape. I traded it for stock work to a fellow who is on this board quite often. Brian D. do you still have that gun?