V grade Damascus barrel length

[bob lyons]

Looking at a vh grade Damascus 12 gauge the barrels are 28 inches but looks like they been cut back can anyone tell me what the original length should have been.
Serial number 137040

[Wayne Owens]

The Serialization book shows 28" Vulcan barrels.

[Dave Noreen]

According to The Parker Story, the Damascus barrel Quality VH guns were ten 10-gauges 173953 to 173962 and a 34-inch 12-gauge, serial number 180420.

[Bill Murphy]

Are we sure the VH Damascus gun has the original barrels?

[bob lyons]

I’m thinking of getting it but the finish is all but gone and would need to be restored.
It currently for sale I’m trying to come up with an offer of what I would like to pay for it.
I need to check to see if a letter is available for it.
I think the barrels are original but I will need to check.
The frame size is 1-1/2 no special features and the bib looks like it needs some soldering just at the muzzles.
The stock has god dimensions but needs to be completely refinished/ restored.
Problem is that my guess would be at least $1000 to $1500 to get the barrels and wood restored.
After that the gun would be worth maybe $1500.
Comments good and bad appreciated.

[Patrick Lien]

RUN!!!!

[Brian Dudley]

There were some damascus VH guns made. Not many of course. I had one in my shop a few years ago. It was a 12g with either 28” or 30” barrels. It lettered as such.

[Paul Ehlers]

There were some damascus VH guns made. Not many of course. I had one in my shop a few years ago. It was a 12g with either 28” or 30” barrels. It lettered as such.

I owned the gun Brian had in his shop. According to the PGCA letter this VH was returned to the factory a couple of years after leaving Meriden to have the 3-blade Damascus barrels fit to it.

These type things do happen, the saying never say never applies in this case.

[scott kittredge]

I know of a 12 ga that a member owns.
scott

[bob lyons]

Thanks to all for information. It amazes me the amount of knowledge that the members have.
I’m always pleasantly surprised and why I continue to read the Fourm as much as possible.
One questions I still have if this gun was restored would it be worth 1200 to 1500?
My head says “ run” as so eloquently said by one of the members, but I still would like to bring it back to it original condition.
Thoughts

[John Knobelsdorf II]

but I still would like to bring it back to it original condition.
Thoughts

A few times, I’ve wrestled with the same question (implied here). “Is this something (come hell or high water!) I’m willing to spend the resources on?”


Maybe someday it will be, to make that a hobby. But not yet, at least not for a VH.

[John Davis]

Thanks to all for information. It amazes me the amount of knowledge that the members have.
I’m always pleasantly surprised and why I continue to read the Fourm as much as possible.
One questions I still have if this gun was restored would it be worth 1200 to 1500?
My head says “ run” as so eloquently said by one of the members, but I still would like to bring it back to it original condition.
Thoughts

If restored, the gun would probably be worth $1200 to $1500. Probably. But that would mean you got it for free to begin with or else you are underwater. Probably way underwater. Of course I’ve been way underwater many times with these sort of deals and I’m sure I will be again. The heart wants what the heart wants.

[Mike Franzen]

I would think if this is a damascus barreled VH it would be quite rare and unusual. What would it be worth in correctly restored condition?

[Randy G Roberts]

My head says “ run” as so eloquently said by one of the members, but I still would like to bring it back to it original condition.
Thoughts

Bob as Wayne pointed out this gun began life with Vulcan fluid steel barrels so if you want to bring it back to its original condition you will need a new set of barrels. I think PML gives good advice, RUN :)