1929 Parker VHE Restored by Brad Bachelder

[allen newell]

Last April I shipped to Brad Bachelder a 1929 vintage Parker VHE w/28 inch barrels choked mod and improved for re-stocking and case coloring. I had previously purchased this Parker from the estate of a close friend of mine. The gun was originally purchased by Henry F. Tenney a noted Illinois lawyer and close friend of Adlai Stevenson. Tenney had bought it for his wife and had the stock cut back significantly. Even with a pad installed it did not fit me correctly so I decided to have it re-stocked and re-cased. Before shipping the gun to Brad, I went up to Covey and Nye and had Lars measure me. I have to say Brad's work is exceptional and he and his family are a pleasure to do business with. His colors in my opinion come as close as I have seen to Parker original colors as I compare them to other original Parkers in my small collection, But let's let the attached pictures tell the real story, I've asked Dean to post my pictures as I'm having difficulty with my PC right now in posting/uploading pics.

[Dean Romig]

Here you go Allen...



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[allen newell]

Thanks Dean,

[Tom Jay]

Absolutely gorgeous. Thanks for sharing.

[Dave Tatman]

What a beautiful gun. Good choice. Another testimony for the quality work of the Bachelder family.

Thanks for sharing.

[allen newell]

I should have enclosed a picture of the other side of the stock, The grain flows through to both sides. Cecil Fredi sent me pictures of six blanks. After careful review of each blank Cecil sent ( it was difficult to distinguish the best from the six pictures he sent of six blanks) I selected one that I thought was the best. I then sent Cecil's pics to three close friends that I regularly shoot with (we all shoot doubles) and asked each to pock out what they thought was the best one. To my pleasant surprise, all three friends selected the same blank and had the same reaction as I had - that the differences among the six were so slight that it was very difficult to separate out the best one. I wanted straight grain through the wrist area and lots of burl/flame throughout the butt end.

[tom tutwiler]

All set for another 100 years. Turned out super nice for sure.

[Paul Ehlers]

Another example of the fine workmanship coming out of Bachelders shop. Super nice stick of wood you picked out from Fredi.

You rightfully should be proud to own this one. Thanks for sharing!!

[charlie cleveland]

nice stock...charlie

[Daniel G Rainey]

I remember seeing the gun on line ( because of who owned it ) and it was nice with the cut stock.. now it is out of this world. Enjoy.

[Daryl Corona]

She is beautiful Allen.

[allen newell]

Dan, it was nice with the cut stock but it didn't fit me properly. I struggled at first with deciding on whether to leave it as is or re-stock it knowing that "originality" is an important factor in collecting Parkers. But when Henry Tenney had the stock cut down for his wife, I figured that originality in the purest sense of the word was lost. At that point in my reasoning, the issue of re-stocking and case coloring became somewhat moot. I did save all the original wood and will keep it with the gun. I've shot 6 rounds of skeet with this Parker and I must say it comes up to the shoulder nicely and fits me like a glove. I'm very pleased with it and look forward to hunting with it this coming Fall, hopefully in northern Maine (probably in and around Kokadjo where I've hunted before) and with my English Setter Sophie.

[Dean Romig]

"Welcome to Kokadjo - Population, Not Many"

I see that sign every time I drive through... well, almost every time... I blinked once and missed Kokadjo entirely.





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[allen newell]

Dean, let's just hope the grouse population up there is good this year

[Rich Anderson]

Allen that came out beautifully congratulations. I have bought quite a few blanks from cecil and never been disappointed. On one the smith had it all headed up and discovered a flaw, I thought for sure I was out the $600 for the blank. Cecil took it back no questions and replaced it.

After much consideration and self doubt I have taken a set of barrels to Brad for refinishing. I know they will be beautiful when there done.

[Stephen Hodges]

As others have commented, very nice. I am usually not a fan of re-finished Parkers, but those case colors came out VERY nice. Congrats.

[allen newell]

Thanks Steve. I have great respect for those among us who collect and preserve Parkers in original condition. Except for a few Parkers that I have in original condition, the ones I shoot regularly are not completely original. I tend to think of myself more of a bird shooter than collector but what I have I take good care of and hopefully my grandsons will appreciate them when it's their turn to carry the Parker torch. For me, Parkers are the holy grail of American double guns. (no offense meant to you Fox, Lefever and LC Smith collectors)

[Rich Anderson]

Here we go getting caught up in the refinished VS original debate again. The English have been sending guns back to the manufacturer be it H&H, Purdey, Mc Naughton or who ever and it doesn't seem to matter value wise. I see no harm in restoring a gun that has been well used/neglected. I have restocked several to fit me so I can use them. What's the point of having a nice gun if it doesn't fit and therefore can't be used?? I restocked (and made it a straight grip) a CHE 20 that had 4 inches of drop and was short to boot. I can now use it and enjoy it.

Allen your kids, grand kids and hopefully great grand kids will enjoy the new life you put into that gun.

[Paul Ehlers]

Here we go getting caught up in the refinished VS original debate again. The English have been sending guns back to the manufacturer be it H&H, Purdey, Mc Naughton or who ever and it doesn't seem to matter value wise. I see no harm in restoring a gun that has been well used/neglected. I have restocked several to fit me so I can use them. What's the point of having a nice gun if it doesn't fit and therefore can't be used?? I restocked (and made it a straight grip) a CHE 20 that had 4 inches of drop and was short to boot. I can now use it and enjoy it.

Allen your kids, grand kids and hopefully great grand kids will enjoy the new life you put into that gun.

Well Said !!! :bowdown:

[allen newell]

No debate Rich, I just wanted to explain my reasoning behind the decision to re-stock and case color this Parker and dispel any notions that I was messing with an original Parker. That's all. I appreciate your post.