Info on Dad's old Parker 20 ga VHE

[TimCayward]

Hello ~
My Dad bought a Parker 20 gauge VHE back in the 70's. It's been in my closet for about 25 years. I'd like to ask you guys for some information. I've done some research on it, but I understand that there is a Master Book of some sort that has information on each gun produced. Here's what I know:

Serial Number: 137173
Date manufactured: 1906 (1905 to 132,000; 1906 up to 138,300)
Length of barrels: 28"
Length of pull to front trigger: 14-1/8 "
Chambered for a 3" shell.
drop at comb: 1-3/8"
drop at heel: 2-1/2'
Weight: 6lbs 10oz
Frame Size: 0
The serial numbers on the barrels and the receiver match.
On the Vulcan Steel gun barrels' water table, there is a marking: 3 with a superscript 7. I would expect this to mean 3lbs 7oz. However, the weight of the barrels is about 3lbs 1oz. Does this mean the barrels were cut? The gun looks very original, but I'm no expert. Also, is there a factory choke on the barrels? I attached a couple of pictures. Thanks for your help!

[Mark Landskov]

Welcome to the forum! You are correct, in that the numbers stamped on the barrels indicate weight, but, it is the weight prior to the final shaping and striking. That is why your actual weight is less.

[TimCayward]

Thanks very much for your reply. The barrels look uncut, so I was puzzled about the weight differing from the stamp. But your answer makes sense. I would like to find out how these barrels are choked. Is one barrel choked more than the other from the factory? I'll have to go dig up my micrometer.

Love the battleship picture, I was on the Missouri for two weeks in 1986 during a westpac deployment. Still remember those 16-inch guns firing during an exercise.

[Mark Landskov]

I reported to Pre-Com Missouri in December of 1985. We made our world cruise in the latter part of 1986. Were you TAD from another command? I was Turret Captain of Turret One. Cheers!

[edgarspencer]

The Serialization Book confirms your barrels are uncut. Most VH guns with 28" barrels were choked modified and full. Your gun is actually called a VH, without the E, as it is an extractor gun, as opposed to one with selective ejectors.
Your gun is configured exactly as my first Parker, which I bought from a distant cousin 52 years ago. I've since given that gun to my son.

[Jay Gardner]

An honest 20 ga VH with 28" barrels: that's a wonderful gun. Would like to see photos of the full gun.

[Brian Dudley]

Based on the roll joint in your frame, you have an extractor gun, not an ejector gun. So it would be a VH, not a VHE.

[TimCayward]

Guys, thanks for setting me straight regarding extractors vs. ejectors! Good to know that I have a VH, not a VHE.

I will post some pictures of the full gun shortly.
Thanks,
-Tim

[TimCayward]

Here's a couple of pictures of the 1906 Parker 20 gauge VH. (Not VHE!)

Responding to Mark, I was a junior officer on another ship in the Battle Group. We JO's drew straws to see who could go to Mighty Mo for some cross training and surface warfare qualifications, and I won. What a great ship, loved sailing on her. Must have been cool being a turret captain!

[Dave Noreen]

Chambered for a 3" shell.

Most Parker Bros. 20-gauge guns of that era were chambered for the then standard 2 1/2 inch 20-gauge shell. If it was in fact ordered chambered for the longer 2 3/4, 2 7/8 or 3-inch 20-gauge shells of the day, they were nothing like the modern 3-inch Magnum 20-gauge shells introduced in 1954.

From the late 1890s until the early 1920s, the heaviest 20-gauge loads offered by our North American ammunition companies were 2 1/4 drams of bulk smokeless powder or 18-grains of dense smokeless powder such as Infallible or Ballistite pushing 7/8 ounce of shot. In the longer 2 3/4, 2 7/8 and 3-inch shells one could get a slightly hotter load of 2 1/2 drams of bulk smokeless powder or 20 grains of Infallible or Ballistite pushing that same 7/8 ounce of shot. The real value of the longer shells was a better wad column which many gun cranks of the day believed to be important.

58501

58502

[charlie cleveland]

you have a great 20 ga she needs shooting once in awhile...those 3 inch shell boxes are really a treat....charlie