My favorite configuration...16 "O" frames..

[Jerry VanHorn]

GH 16.. 28 "Damascus.....16 Hammer..28"...lightening cuts.....VH 16..26"..

[calvin humburg]

Nice, gotta like those 16's.

[Robin Lewis]

Nice picture, my favorite by far too!

[Dean Romig]

I've got a bunch of 16 ga. O-frames too.
Aside from 28 gauge guns they are the best carrying guns Parker made... IMHO






.

[James J. Roberts]

I have a Parker Trojan in 16 ga. and it fit me just right it's right on target when I swing it on a bird. J.J.

[Brett Hoop]

My wife says I have a "problem"! So I went to the Southern and Hausmann's for counseling. "Didn't really help" she says! I'll have to go back and try again.

[Todd Poer]

This has probably been discussed on here a few times. I think probably one of the most famous 16 gauge shooters ever preferred a Parker. I read an article about her shooting with that Parker years ago. Also saw an article about her gun selling at close to $300k and it also referenced information in article that this organization provided on the gun from factory records. Seems gun was restocked 2 times in just a few year period.

Ya know I always wondered about these expert shots and this stuff about gunfitting. Got to see Tom Knapp once. That guy, like what I understand about Annie Oakley, could shoot just about anything well, no matter how it fit them.

That is a good looking bevy of 16 gauges. As a matter of fact I think the hammer 16 GH is same grade gun she had.

[Russ Jackson]

Here's a bit of a Rare Pair ,A 16 Ga. 32" Twist and a 22" Twist , both letter accordingly ! The 22"Barreled gun is a joy to carry ! The 32" is a 1 Frame and the 22" is an O Frame !

[Brian Dudley]

Every time I have shot a 0 frame 16g (with RSTs), I am always surprised at how low the felt recoil is. I always think it will be more.

[Todd Poer]

Every time I have shot a 0 frame 16g (with RSTs), I am always surprised at how low the felt recoil is. I always think it will be more.

What is the difference in weight from say a similar barreled 16 gauge between a 1 or 0 Frame.

[davidboyles]

You guys are making me look bad advertising my "0" 16 for sale. Am I going to be tarred and feathered!! Just acquired a 28 VHE that has stolen my heart so someone needs to go. Funny I have other 16 ga Parkers I just seem to shoot a lot more than this Damascus GH 16.

[Dean Romig]

What is the difference in weight from say a similar barreled 16 gauge between a 1 or 0 Frame.


Odd as it may seem Todd, there are some 16 0-frames that outweigh some 16 1-frames and some 16 1-frames that are much lighter than a lot of 16 0-frames.
I had a Trojan 16 on the 1-frame with 26" barrels that was unbelievably light and agile. I wound up selling it to my brother-in-law because he borrowed it for a season and kept it for the next two seasons so I told him I'd sell it to him. Took me three years to get the money.

"Never a borrower nor a lender be.".....especially when family is involved.



.

[Jerry VanHorn]

I have a case of RST 16s..3/4 oz. on the way..and a pair of 16 ga. inserts for my 10 ga. lifter. I have 2 other 16 VH O frames. One is a 26" straight grip that Brad B. should have the color done on this month..and another VH ..28" pistol grip. That takes care of the kids and grandkids !..The 16 hammer is in a restored 2 gun motor case..with my LC Smith 16 hammer.. Now..if I just had a Woodie ....

[Michael Moffa]

One year I bought all the 16's Ivory Beads brought to Vegas. Got bit hard that weekend.

[allen newell]

Growing up in New England, the 16 ga was the grouse gun.. I still have my grandfathers 16 vh. I don't shoot it that often but when I do it brings back wonderful memories of grouse hunting with my dad. Great gun.

[CraigThompson]

I’ve had two top lever hammer 16’s one an 0 the other a 1 both were 30” and I liked the 1 frame more . I also had a VH 16 26” 0 frame that was poison on dove/quail but it’s in GA now . Still have VH 1 frame 28” and 30” which are both nice . My only other Parker 16 is a DH 32” 2 frame and I like and shoot that one the best .

[Keith Doty]

Shot my 26" "0" 16 this weekend at quail. Only thing better than an 0 frame 16 is a box of puppies!

[Chris Pope]

I shot my 16 "O" frame this weekend also!...and I missed. Dog wasn't pleased but we had fun. She certainly is a sweet shooter.

[Andrew Sacco]

My bucket list includes an O frame 16 ejector gun 26" barrels for grouse (yes, short barrels). I don't care if the wood is rotted off, I would have a stock made to my dimensions. I have two O frame 16's, and they are just the bomb. My 28g Repro was the worst Parker I ever owned so I sold that and am going to a 28g O/U instead if I want that gauge. I am pretty wedded to 16g with hand loaded 16's in RST hulls 1 oz #8 and Longshot powder. When the kids are out of college maybe that 28g Parker will show up

[Garry L Gordon]

My bucket list includes an O frame 16 ejector gun 26" barrels for grouse (yes, short barrels). I don't care if the wood is rotted off, I would have a stock made to my dimensions. I have two O frame 16's, and they are just the bomb. My 28g Repro was the worst Parker I ever owned so I sold that and am going to a 28g O/U instead if I want that gauge. I am pretty wedded to 16g with hand loaded 16's in RST hulls 1 oz #8 and Longshot powder. When the kids are out of college maybe that 28g Parker will show up

Andy, if you wait that long and continue to shoot a 28 O/U, your eyes will have moved, one over the other, by the time your kids are out of college. If God had intended us to shoot an O/U, he’d have made our eyes that way. (BTW, he shoots a straight/splinter, two trigger Parker with 26” barrels…)

[Andrew Sacco]

Andy, if you wait that long and continue to shoot a 28 O/U, your eyes will have moved, one over the other, by the time your kids are out of college. If God had intended us to shoot an O/U, he’d have made our eyes that way. (BTW, he shoots a straight/splinter, two trigger Parker with 26” barrels…)

I've been told that Garry but my eyes are still horizontal!! I have two Italian guns coming, both O/U but that doesn't take anything away from my love of Parkers. In my mind, whether they are up and down or side to side you just cannot have too many. A friend of mine a few weeks ago said, "You should just buy one gun and shoot it, you don't need a bunch." Now what the hell kind of crappy advice is that!!!

[Dan Steingraber]

I've been told that Garry but my eyes are still horizontal!! I have two Italian guns coming, both O/U but that doesn't take anything away from my love of Parkers. In my mind, whether they are up and down or side to side you just cannot have too many. A friend of mine a few weeks ago said, "You should just buy one gun and shoot it, you don't need a bunch." Now what the hell kind of crappy advice is that!!!

Andy, Nobody needs that kind of negativity in their life. Haha. I’ve got a CH 0 frame with Damascus 26” barrels and it’s a joy to carry in the grouse woods. I carried a VHE 16 with 28” barrels for quail in Kansas this year and loved it. As I was typing this I realized it was the gun I shot with you at Haussman’s last year.

[Keith Doty]

I've been told that Garry but my eyes are still horizontal!! I have two Italian guns coming, both O/U but that doesn't take anything away from my love of Parkers. In my mind, whether they are up and down or side to side you just cannot have too many. A friend of mine a few weeks ago said, "You should just buy one gun and shoot it, you don't need a bunch." Now what the hell kind of crappy advice is that!!!

That was spoken by a man that probably shoots an 1100. Poor advise indeed!

[Andrew Sacco]

That was spoken by a man that probably shoots an 1100. Poor advise indeed!

OMG he shoots an 1100! Hahahahah :rotf::rotf::rotf:

[Harold Lee Pickens]

Hope I didnt forget any:
VH 16 1 frame 28"
GH 16 O frame 27" damascus
DHE 16 O frame 26" steel
Grade O 16 ga hammer gun w/ 26" Twist
PH 16 O 16 w/ 28" Twist
Lefever G 16 28" damascus
Ithaca 4E 28"
Fox A 16 28"
Fox SW 16 26.5 (cut)
Fox SW Deluxe 16 28"
German Hammer 16 30" cyl/F sub 6 lbs
Fair Rizzini 600 16 ga OU w/ 28"& choke tubes
I shot nothing but 16's for years, but now really liking 20's and my little Dickinson 30" 28

[Phil Yearout]

The gun that started it, my father's Savage 775a in 16ga along with my first double gun, a Stevens 5100 in 16ga, and a Fox Sterlingworth Ejector and Parker Trojan, both in 16ga. Not shown: Fox A Grade in 16ga. I like 16's...

https://i.imgur.com/iHevVfql.jpg

[Mills Morrison]

0 frame 16 Parkers are my current favorite too. I have several and just want more. I have some 1 frames that are quite nice too.

[Keith Doty]

16s are kinda like potato chips......I shouldn't have bought that first one! Have several and am always looking for another. Especially 0 frames.

[Andrew Sacco]

I have a nice condition Trojan 16 with 26" barrels which handles just dandy and fits me nice. Only problem with it for grouse is that it has two German chokes, both of them being GuttenTight I don't want to have them opened up, but I'm surprised how this basic Parker is one of my very favorites. I shot one woodcock with it, I had a pair of wings come down from the heavens.

[Mills Morrison]

I have a nice condition Trojan 16 with 26" barrels which handles just dandy and fits me nice. Only problem with it for grouse is that it has two German chokes, both of them being GuttenTight I don't want to have them opened up, but I'm surprised how this basic Parker is one of my very favorites. I shot one woodcock with it, I had a pair of wings come down from the heavens.

For tight chokes, I just let the birds get a bit further. If that doesn't work, buy another gun and use the current one for something else.

[Matt Buckley]

Just for comparison from my collection:
16 Grade 2 hammer 30" barrels O Frame: 6lbs 15oz
16 VH 26" barrels 1 Frame: 6lbs 13oz
16 Trojan 28" barrel 1 Frame: 6lbs 5oz

Friends 16 VH 26"barrels O Frame: 5lbs 14oz

[Bill Murphy]

Andy, when pheasant hunting north of Westminster, Maryland with a friend who only had a single barrel 37 Winchester, we flushed a woodcock in a wooded area. My friend duplicated your feat of shooting a woodcock completely out of his wings. We were high school buddies, but he was not into bird guns like I was. We went to college together and he left early to become a Ranger and to Viet Nam with a 75th Infantry unit. I left a year later, also for a two year Army hitch of a less heroic character. We had some great pack trips in western Maryland, but he found his outdoor life as a Park Ranger Superintendent in Wyoming and I stayed in Maryland and collected Parkers.

[edgarspencer]

there are some 16 0-frames that outweigh some 16 1-frames and some 16 1-frames that are much lighter than a lot of 16 0-frames.

:confused:

[Keith Doty]

Easy fix for the tight chokes without boring them out is some spreader loads. They work well. I have used then on a 20 ga. mod x full 21 of mine for quail. Not perfect but certainly workable.

[Andrew Sacco]

For tight chokes, I just let the birds get a bit further. If that doesn't work, buy another gun and use the current one for something else.

That's great in theory, but when a grouse or woodcock gives you .2 seconds in snot thick cover there is no such thing as letting them get further out. I do that with chukar, quail and ditch chickens

[Andrew Sacco]

Easy fix for the tight chokes without boring them out is some spreader loads. They work well. I have used then on a 20 ga. mod x full 21 of mine for quail. Not perfect but certainly workable.

I did some with polywad inserts and they do help, but I enjoy roll crimping shells as much as I enjoy flossing my teeth. ADHD I think...

[Dan Steingraber]

That's great in theory, but when a grouse or woodcock gives you .2 seconds in snot thick cover there is no such thing as letting them get further out. I do that with chukar, quail and ditch chickens


:rotf::rotf:That's exactly what I was thinkink Andy. When I read Mills' response I thought "We need to take Mills grouse hunting. In the words of my Dear friend Craig Doherty after I failed to get off a shot on 3 straight grouse flushes "Shoot the f**** tree Dan" :rotf::rotf:

Edit by John D: Could you please watch the language? This isn't Reddit - it is a gun collectors forum...

[Andrew Sacco]

:rotf::rotf:That's exactly what I was thinkink Andy. When I read Mills' response I thought "We need to take Mills grouse hunting. In the words of my Dear friend Craig Doherty after I failed to get off a shot on 3 straight grouse flushes "Shoot the f**** tree Dan" :rotf::rotf:

I didn't want to insult him, but yeah, we need to take him out! I took a friend who is a clay target shooter grouse hunting for the first time. After about ten miles and HEARING three birds, he said, "Let me get this straight, you do this s*** for fun???" :bowdown:

Edit by John D: Could you please watch the language? This isn't Reddit - it is a gun collectors forum...

[Harold Lee Pickens]

Agree with Andy and Dan. With grouse hunting, its like the wedding vow, only its "shoot now or forever hold your peace". The sound of the grouse flushing galvanizes me into action. Unfortunately, that often translates into my shooting on game lands/released pheasants, I shoot too soon. My buddy Terry says to himself "My what a pretty bird" before he shoots , I doubt I get out "my" before I shoot. Wild pheasants don't dally around and require quick action.
On sporting clays, however, I wish I could shoot sooner , I think it would help my scores. Those clay targets move much faster than a game bird.

[Andrew Sacco]

Agree with Andy and Dan. With grouse hunting, its like the wedding vow, only its "shoot now or forever hold your peace". The sound of the grouse flushing galvanizes me into action. Unfortunately, that often translates into my shooting on game lands/released pheasants, I shoot too soon. My buddy Terry says to himself "My what a pretty bird" before he shoots , I doubt I get out "my" before I shoot. Wild pheasants don't dally around and require quick action.
On sporting clays, however, I wish I could shoot sooner , I think it would help my scores. Those clay targets move much faster than a game bird.

Probably my favorite thing in all of the sporting world is that thunderous launch and the way they careen through the trees. Such a magnificent bird. I think that's why Parkers are so cool, there's so little action anymore that carrying a gun you appreciate and love is a reward in itself. Like a bamboo fly rod I guess. By my estimation my last 4 pounds of grouse flesh cost about $8,000 per pound after guns, gas, dogs, accessories and I have zero regrets.

[Garry L Gordon]

Probably my favorite thing in all of the sporting world is that thunderous launch and the way they careen through the trees. Such a magnificent bird. I think that's why Parkers are so cool, there's so little action anymore that carrying a gun you appreciate and love is a reward in itself. Like a bamboo fly rod I guess. By my estimation my last 4 pounds of grouse flesh cost about $8,000 per pound after guns, gas, dogs, accessories and I have zero regrets.

Andy, I shared your cost per pound estimate with Elaine. She said, based on her experience with me, you got a real deal.:)

[Andrew Sacco]

Andy, I shared your cost per pound estimate with Elaine. She said, based on her experience with me, you got a real deal.:)

Gotta be a smart shopper Garry. You'll learn grasshopper... :rotf:

[Jeff Kuss]

I have to agree with you Garry. I would estimate my cost per ounce of grouse to be in the $8000 range. It is worth every dime!

[Mills Morrison]

There is a great Jeff Foxworthy skit where he is telling his wife that his deer meat he brings them is the most expensive and fine meat on the market . . . And its all for you and the kids. A little thanks would be appreciated

[Garry L Gordon]

There is a great Jeff Foxworthy skit where he is telling his wife that his deer meat he brings them is the most expensive and fine meat on the market . . . And its all for you and the kids. A little thanks would be appreciated

Wish I’d used that strategy. :banghead:

[William Woods]

Hope I didnt forget any:
VH 16 1 frame 28"
GH 16 O frame 27" damascus
DHE 16 O frame 26" steel
Grade O 16 ga hammer gun w/ 26" Twist
PH 16 O 16 w/ 28" Twist
Lefever G 16 28" damascus
Ithaca 4E 28"
Fox A 16 28"
Fox SW 16 26.5 (cut)
Fox SW Deluxe 16 28"
German Hammer 16 30" cyl/F sub 6 lbs
Fair Rizzini 600 16 ga OU w/ 28"& choke tubes
I shot nothing but 16's for years, but now really liking 20's and my little Dickinson 30" 28

You listed the one I have wanted since I discovered Parkers; DHE, 16 GA, O frame, 26" steel barrels.

[Harold Lee Pickens]

Nah, William, you wouldn't want this old thing.

[Mike Koneski]

I did some with polywad inserts and they do help, but I enjoy roll crimping shells as much as I enjoy flossing my teeth. ADHD I think...

Use BP inserts and you won’t need to roll crimp.

[Andrew Sacco]

Use BP inserts and you won’t need to roll crimp.

Next time I'm down there Mike I'll pick your brain on this. I think I tried but couldn't get a good crimp. The roll crimped and polywad inserts really produced a nice pattern but I'm so impatient...

[Aaron Beck]

Run your drill faster..

[Mills Morrison]

I’ve got enough Parker 16s that I occasionally find one I forgot I had

[William McClintock]

My Parker DH 16 gauge O frame. The first time I shot sporting clays the gun broke the
initial 13 clays. It was about 80% overall that first day.
https://flic.kr/p/2nH7Phz

[Arthur Shaffer]

I'll chime in since I have bought quite a few lately:

Parker 16 g DH 28" Damascus
Sauer 16 ga Hammer
Sauer 16g x 20 g rifle cape gun
Unknown German 16 g Hammer
German 16 g O/u combo gun
German 16 g Drilling
Sterlingworth 16 g (x2)
Ithaca 16 g Flues Gr3
Ithaca 16 g Gr 4
Ithaca Field 16 NID
Manufrance Ideal 16 g (Spectacle action)
Manufrance Simplex 16 g
Manufrance Robust 16 ga
H&H boxlock 16 g

And being shipped:

Verney-Carron 16 g
Browning Citori 16 ga

Truly my favorite gauge over many years. After shooting a well made 16, any 12 feels ungainly due to size unless heavy shooting. The secret is weight and balance. Modern 16's are generally just twelves with small barrels. All my 16's weigh 6-1/4 or less, except the combo guns etc. Many weigh in the 5's. I don't buy them if they are heavy. In truth, many 20's and 28's weigh more. I seldom shoot them with over 7/8oz and have seen no need to. I find the effectiveness of these as good as the 1 oz loads.

Edit
_____

Forgot the late 1800's Darne, the mid century Charlin and a 1904 Manufacture Liege that is a like new 6# hammer gun.

[Garry L Gordon]

I'll chime in since I have bought quite a few lately:

Parker 16 g DH 28" Damascus
Sauer 16 ga Hammer
Sauer 16g x 20 g rifle cape gun
Unknown German 16 g Hammer
German 16 g O/u combo gun
German 16 g Drilling
Sterlingworth 16 g (x2)
Ithaca 16 g Flues Gr3
Ithaca 16 g Gr 4
Ithaca Field 16 NID
Manufrance Ideal 16 g (Spectacle action)
Manufrance Simplex 16 g
Manufrance Robust 16 ga
H&H boxlock 16 g

And being shipped:

Verney-Carron 16 g
Browning Citori 16 ga

Truly my favorite gauge over many years. After shooting a well made 16, any 12 feels ungainly due to size unless heavy shooting. The secret is weight and balance. Modern 16's are generally just twelves with small barrels. All my 16's weigh 6-1/4 or less, except the combo guns etc. Many weigh in the 5's. I don't buy them if they are heavy. In truth, many 20's and 28's weigh more. I seldom shoot them with over 7/8oz and have seen no need to. I find the effectiveness of these as good as the 1 oz loads.

So, Art, what is the primary use of this great array of 16s? I find the 16 almost perfect for Bobs and grouse, but like something heavier for waterfowl and pheasants, and something lighter for woodcock, snipe and rail.

[Arthur Shaffer]

The greatest use is visual pleasure.
Past that, I truly believe they are the perfect upland gun. As I said, I generally won't buy one that is more than a few ounces over 6 pounds. A gun at that weight is easy to carry, and is dynamic to handle because the barrels have to be light to make that weight. I have quite a few 20 doubles and a number of 28's, which is my second favorite gauge and which I have owned a lot more over the years. Most of them in the 5-1/2 pound minus catagory are simply too light and whippy to shoot well. I was raised in Eastern KY where grouse was our primary game and we hunted them relentlessly without dogs. And their populations were very high. Any of these guns will work well on them. Over the years as I moved on to a lot of dove hunting (and shooting clays). I used all different gauges. I kept a lot of scores and records, and realized that once I went below 16 gauge, % started dropping. I often scored my best (especially on doves) with 16's but there was a measureable drop in targets and birds with the smaller bores. This shooting was done with heavier guns and often multiple barrel sets, so the difference was pretty much attributed to gauge.

I still shoot a lot of doves with a 28, largely because my daughters like them and (sounds silly) it is really easy to carry a lot of shells in your pockets. They tend to always be average weight 28's with long barrels. My favorite for preserve quail over dogs is a 5-1/2 # 28 with 30" barrels.

If asked to keep just two shotguns, the would be a mint 16 Sterlingworth that weighs 6 pounds with light barrels opened to Cylinder and IC, and a similar late date Ithaca NID16 with well struck barrels and Mod/Full barrels. I shoot these as well as any two guns I have ever owned, and would have no worries about hunting anything other than waterfowl with them. I live at the non-Mississippi end of the state, so the flyway is not a normal destination, so that's not a huge consideration.

[Garry L Gordon]

Thanks, Art. I really enjoy reading the passion in an account like this about guns and hunting -- great "stuff!"

I have hunted the mountains in Eastern Kentucky, public land near Manchester mostly, with some time spent (fruitless, I might add) near Moorehead. I enjoyed my years hunting there, but would have liked more birds (duh, right?). I keep thinking I'll go back. I read about your DNR's plans for grouse with hope. I'm not sure I have the right dogs for those mountains now...or the "right" legs and lungs.

BTW, send all "whippy" 28 gauge guns my way. I shoot so close and so quick, the weight of the gun is of little consequence. My best (a.k.a. the one I killed the most grouse with) gun was an 1930s vintage boxlock John Dickson and Sons 28, choked cylinder/full. I could carry it in one hand while hanging on for dear life with the other in those near vertical coverts in the mountains.

I hope you'll share some photos of your 16s sometime, and I hope I can run into you on our travels east. I love Kentucky -- much like Missouri in many regards, except you have better mountains(!).

Take care,

Garry


The greatest use is visual pleasure.
Past that, I truly believe they are the perfect upland gun. As I said, I generally won't buy one that is more than a few ounces over 6 pounds. A gun at that weight is easy to carry, and is dynamic to handle because the barrels have to be light to make that weight. I have quite a few 20 doubles and a number of 28's, which is my second favorite gauge and which I have owned a lot more over the years. Most of them in the 5-1/2 pound minus catagory are simply too light and whippy to shoot well. I was raised in Eastern KY where grouse was our primary game and we hunted them relentlessly without dogs. And their populations were very high. Any of these guns will work well on them. Over the years as I moved on to a lot of dove hunting (and shooting clays). I used all different gauges. I kept a lot of scores and records, and realized that once I went below 16 gauge, % started dropping. I often scored my best (especially on doves) with 16's but there was a measureable drop in targets and birds with the smaller bores. This shooting was done with heavier guns and often multiple barrel sets, so the difference was pretty much attributed to gauge.

I still shoot a lot of doves with a 28, largely because my daughters like them and (sounds silly) it is really easy to carry a lot of shells in your pockets. They tend to always be average weight 28's with long barrels. My favorite for preserve quail over dogs is a 5-1/2 # 28 with 30" barrels.

If asked to keep just two shotguns, the would be a mint 16 Sterlingworth that weighs 6 pounds with light barrels opened to Cylinder and IC, and a similar late date Ithaca NID16 with well struck barrels and Mod/Full barrels. I shoot these as well as any two guns I have ever owned, and would have no worries about hunting anything other than waterfowl with them. I live at the non-Mississippi end of the state, so the flyway is not a normal destination, so that's not a huge consideration.

[Arthur Shaffer]

I don't have much hope for the birds in Eastern KY any more. Between strip mining (and reclaiming as flat fescue meadows, all before the mountaintop mining issue and rules) and farming practices there now, the quail and grouse don't have much of a chance. The DFW puts all its efforts into stocking the public areas but there isn't much benefit there. They do a good job with turkey and elk, with turkeys going from not here to being almost a nuisance as the deer have become. The elk program to re-establish (they were the primary prey for both Indians and settlers in the days when we had prairie grasslands, but disappeared. They are doing so well that the several hundred permits each go mostly to the thousands of applications from out of state.

When I was a kid, the grouse were everywhere. We would go up the hill behind our house on the edge of town, make a loop around a couple of small watersheds where the farmer's didn't care, and get grouse, quail, squirrel and rabbits (often 2 or 3 species on the same day). We lived in an outdoor paradise and didn't realize it. Peeople didn't even glance at someone in a canvas jacket and brush pants walking through the middle of town with a shotgun.

[Garry L Gordon]

I don't have much hope for the birds in Eastern KY any more. Between strip mining (and reclaiming as flat fescue meadows, all before the mountaintop mining issue and rules) and farming practices there now, the quail and grouse don't have much of a chance. The DFW puts all its efforts into stocking the public areas but there isn't much benefit there. They do a good job with turkey and elk, with turkeys going from not here to being almost a nuisance as the deer have become. The elk program to re-establish (they were the primary prey for both Indians and settlers in the days when we had prairie grasslands, but disappeared. They are doing so well that the several hundred permits each go mostly to the thousands of applications from out of state.

When I was a kid, the grouse were everywhere. We would go up the hill behind our house on the edge of town, make a loop around a couple of small watersheds where the farmer's didn't care, and get grouse, quail, squirrel and rabbits (often 2 or 3 species on the same day). We lived in an outdoor paradise and didn't realize it. Peeople didn't even glance at someone in a canvas jacket and brush pants walking through the middle of town with a shotgun.

Gosh, for those days (as you describe) again! I did run into elk on my grouse hunts, the first time I "flushed" one was quite the surprise. I hunted older clear cuts (could fine no recent ones) and some grapevine ravines, but even in the short time I hunted Kentucky, those coverts all grew past even the older acceptable (to grouse, that is) age structure. So, I guess you've not checked out any of the newer habitat projects. I was thinking I might, but...

[Harold Lee Pickens]

Although Ohio grouse season is closed, I ran my setter Doodle today thru some old strip mine/spoil bank cover that still looks as good as when we were flushing 25 birds/day there. I just wanted to get out with the dog and look for shed antlers and future sites for deer stands. In between 2 spoil banks she pulled up into a point. I thought it might be an early woodcock arrival, but was a big cock grouse. I had heard a bird drumming in that area both this spring and fall. Doodle pointed it again about 100 yds ahead as we moved around the hill. Strip mining sure created alot of great cover back in the day despite it's negative impacts.
I came across this old bucket from a shovel close to where I flushed the bird. If any body wants to help, we could get a few bucks for scrap--probably would weigh over a 1000 lbs.

[Harold Lee Pickens]

Doodle and bucket.

[Harold Lee Pickens]

Art, I have a German hammer 16 also, cant read the name of the maker. Has .metric 29.5 in barrels cyl/F, and weighs less than 6 lbs. It's a little off face, but shimmed it up. Only paid 250 for it.

[Mills Morrison]

The German Gun Collectors had a table full of shooter Sauers, including several 16’s, at the Southern a few years ago. Unfortunately, I did not get any. They were priced to sell

[William Woods]

Nah, William, you wouldn't want this old thing.

Probably not Harold, but just in case send the dog and gun just to make certain! An English Setter and a 16GA Parker best in the field.

[William Woods]

I’ve got enough Parker 16s that I occasionally find one I forgot I had

Now I know where all the 16's have gone.

[William Woods]

My Parker DH 16 gauge O frame. The first time I shot sporting clays the gun broke the
initial 13 clays. It was about 80% overall that first day.
https://flic.kr/p/2nH7Phz

William did your 16 come with the round knob? I wonder how many 16's came from the factory with a round knob grip?

[Russell E. Cleary]

Good question about that DH with the round knob. She’s a beauty.

I have a lightly-used 1925-issue, 1-frame VH 16 that my father wheedled away from a hunting and fishing buddy decades ago, when the unsuspecting owner of the gun proudly showed his new prize to Dad. I shoot it occasionally at the range, and may use it, given its full chokes, on Pheasants in open country. I also see that Ballistics Products offers a spreader insert for the 072SG16 wad, if one is reloading, which expands my options.

As for 0-frame 16s, the subject of the thread, my go-to grouse gun is a 1907, and later restored, 0-frame, 26-inch barreled 16-gauge VH. It is factory-choked cylinder and modified. Implausibly, the gun took First Place Honors in the People’s Choice Awards at the 2021 PGCA Annual Meeting and Banquet, amid an array of stunning upland guns – A, B, C, and D-grades.

The photo reveals little about the gun’s aesthetic features, however modest they are relative to the higher-grade competition, but it does convey what the gun was intended in to be used for.

[Victor Wasylyna]

Russell:

You paired that award winning 16-gauge VH with a very handsome dog. Great photograph!

-Victor

[Russell E. Cleary]

Victor:

That previous photo was of "Zoey". She was preeminent among my guide's dogs in her day. Fantastic nose.

Then came "Hank", paired with the same doughty 0-framed 16-gauge VH.

[Harold Lee Pickens]

The cyl/mod choking is my favorite, especially for grouse.l have a 26 in VH 20, and my DHE 16 both choked that way, and both weigh exactly 6 lbs. I've often thought I'd like to try an English Pointer.

[Garry L Gordon]

Beautiful dogs, and a special gun. I followed many pointers in my time participating in field trials in Missouri. They can sure strike a pose on point that will make you catch breath.

[Russell E. Cleary]

Here’s “Hank” with his master, a professional Maine guide, and off-season field-trialer, in an illustration for an article on Maine sporting camps that was published in the October 2017 issue of FIELD & STREAM.

Despite his considerable experience, with dogs, guns, clients, and the Maine woods and waters, my guide was late to be bitten by the Parker 16-gauge bug. He acquired a pre-1920 (that is, one with the rib extension detail) 1-frame Trojan 16 in 2022, and brought it to the Major Waldron’s New Year’s Day shoot this last December 31st.

The 16-gauge offers manifold applications, with regard open or close-cover upland birds, or waterfowl, be it from blind, boat or when donning waders and walking sloughs, backwaters, and potholes -- a blend of upland and duck hinting that my father used to do. But there seems to be wide agreement on the 16-gauge being ideal for the North American Ruffed Grouse.

[Dean Romig]

I've often thought I'd like to try an English Pointer.

:shock::eek:





.

[Arthur Shaffer]

Here is a Parker 16 O frame I own. Bought it on an internet auction. It was completely restored/restocked a few years ago. the barrels are 28" with very nice 4 stripe Damascus. The factory letter weight was 5-14, and with the new stock it is 6-1. I have yet to shoot it, but with the well struck barrels that yield this weight, the handling seems really nice.

https://i.imgur.com/pwCkm7h.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/0KlSJcW.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/JY0wM1G.jpg

[Russell E. Cleary]

ArtS:

That would be your DH, based on my viewing your list of 16s.

Was it disclosed who did the restoration?

[William McClintock]

William did your 16 come with the round knob? I wonder how many 16's came from the factory with a round knob grip?

Yes, it did. That is the original stock. Refinished, but original wood.
I have no idea how many had such a stock.

[Rich Anderson]

Next to my 28's the 16 is my favorite regardless of frame size. I've downsized some but the Parkers are
GHE 2 barrel et 28 inch vent ribs. skt/skt & M/F shipped from Alex Kerr's AKA The Hollywood gun
CHE 30 inch PG splinter forearm M/F
GHE 32 inch vent rib
Grade 1 32 inch hammer gun
GHE straight grip 28 inch Damascus
Grade 3 30 inch hammer gun
Others are
LeFever Optimus (upgrade) 28 inch IC/F
Purdey two barrel set
J Venebles & Son back action hammer gun with Jones under lever 30 inch barrels.
CS Rosson straight grip 26 inch IC/M. This was hell on quail last month in Georgia.
Fox Sterlingworth straight grip (restock) 28 inches

I'm sure I have missed something but the memory ain't what it used to be:whistle:
I've added 4 so maybe thats all of them now

[Arthur Shaffer]

ArtS:

That would be your DH, based on my viewing your list of 16s.

Was it disclosed who did the restoration?

Yes.I recieved the compete billing documents for the restoration. One of the reasons I purchased it.

It was done by several people and I would rather not quote the workers without digging through my papers on the gun.

[Russell E. Cleary]

ArtS:

That is good that you have documents on the restoration. It rounds out the story and adds to the enjoyment. as I see it.

The trail had been lost on the restoration process of my restored VH. I have called a few of the better-known shops capable of the work and was told that there is no record of their having had my gun.

I considered the look faithful enough to suit my tastes when the gun was offered to me, and am still happy with the job, whoever did it.

[Jim Beilke]

Got to jump in as a 16 fan.
16 O frame St grip, splinter forearm 26" Miller single trigger 5-14, Matt mentioned

16 Trojan 26" 6-12 great teal and wooduck gun
1620 Merkel 28" 6lbs