I need help with my Parker

[Emile Aoun]

Hello and good morning.

I am new to the Parker forum and just yesterday I bought 12 ga Parker Bros VH.
I am trying to figure out little bit more about the shotgun.
I hope someone here can help me or direct to right area.
This is all I have for now.
Serial number: 153374
PATD Mar 26, 1878
Parker brothers, makers, Meriden, conn. Vulcan steel
No safety feature on the shotgun.
I would like to know if I can use the weapon for dove hunting and if I can use game load Winchester 2-3/4 inch, 1 Oz, shot 8
Thank you in advance for your help

[Dean Romig]

There are surviving records on 153374 to support a research letter. If the gun truly does not have a safety at all there might be some interesting information on the person who ordered it and possibly why it was ordered that way.





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[Emile Aoun]

Thank you Dean for your quick reply. Can I request the research letter online or the only option is via mail?
Will the research paper tell me if I can use the type of shells that mentioned in my original message?

[Dean Romig]

If the chambers and bores haven't been messed with and the chambers are 2 9/16" or 2 5/8" or of course 2 3/4", I would think so. I have a 1898 DH 12 with Titanic Steel barrels with 2 9/16" chambers and I shoot moderate 2 3/4" loads in it all the time.

There are those who will say this is bad advice. I would certainly highly recommend you check wall thickness and chamber length first.





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[Dean Romig]

Incidentally, you can order the research letter online by going to our HOME page and click on the Research Letter tab. I might add that if you join the PGCA for $40 annually the research letter will cost you only $40. If you choose not to join the PGCA the research letter costs $100.





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[Dave Noreen]

Welcome. Congratulations on an interesting gun. Post some pictures when you can.

No one can tell you over the internet what ammunition may or may not be safe in a given gun. That requires a qualified double gun smith with the proper tools and expertise.

That serial number is circa 1910. At that time, the heaviest 12-gauge loads being offered by our North American ammunition manufacturers was 3 1/2-drams of bulk smokeless powder --

107657

or 28 grains of dense smokeless powder (such as Infallible or Ballistite) --

107658

pushing 1 1/4-ounce of shot. Those 12-gauge loads could be had in 2 3/4-inch or longer shells.

Some DuPont powder booklets from the 1920s/30s show these loads had pressures above modern day SAAMI specs for 2 3/4-inch 12-gauge shells.

[Brian Dudley]

Nobody can tell you, over the internet, if your gun is sound to shoot. let alone what shells to use in it.

[Emile Aoun]

Thank you all for the valuable information. I will have to take it to a gunsmith first before I do anything with the shotgun. I hope I hear good news

[Dean H Hanson]

If the MBW (minimum barrel wall thickness) is .250 or better.... 7/8 oz is plenty for doves.... and all woodlands for that matter. RST shells would be appropriate. If you can get them.

[John Dallas]

.250? quarter inch?

[Dean H Hanson]

oops

[Dean Romig]

.025"





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