New owner, question about frame size marking

[Joe Kallo]

Hello group,

I just purchased my first Parker: a 12ga VH that has a serial number that indicates it was made in 1925. I'm doing lots of learning about it now, and I've come across my first question I can't find an answer to. Guides all indicate where to find the frame size stamp on the underside of the barrel lugs. Mine only has a 12 there, and nothing else. Is this a normal state of affairs? Did they stop stamping the frame size at some point?

Thanks!
Joe

[Brian Dudley]

No. It would be marked. Please post a photo. It should be behind the 12 you mention.

[Bill Murphy]

Your 12 may be a 1/2 indicating a 1/2 frame, correct in later serial ranges. We need to see pictures.

[Joe Kallo]

Your 12 may be a 1/2 indicating a 1/2 frame, correct in later serial ranges. We need to see pictures.

This was my first thought, as it's light for what I've seen most VH 12s (6lb 13oz). I will upload a pic when I am home in a couple hours.

[Joe Kallo]

Here's a pic of the lug. Serial is 213336 btw.

[Steve Huffman]

For starters measure your center to center of your firing pins on the frame and report back

[Dave Noreen]

Your 12 may be a 1/2 indicating a 1/2 frame, correct in later serial ranges. We need to see pictures.

A 1925 vintage gun wouldn't be a 1/2 frame.


Here is a typical 1925 vintage 12-gauge VH --

116556

in this case a 1 1/2 frame. Can't explain why there is no frame-size stamp on your barrel lug.

[Brian Dudley]

Unless it is so faintly stamped that it is not showing up in the photo, it looks like it may have not been stamped. Which is out of the ordinary.
You will have to take measurements of various areas of the frame to verify the size. 3 lbs 9 oz is a lighter barrel set. So i would think 1 or 1-1/2 size.

[Joe Kallo]

Just measured: the pin to pin is 1-1/8".

The butt stock on the gun has a different serial from the barrels and frame, and is much earlier: 145656. It has non-cut 26" barrels (there's an obvious break in the rib waves) and was obviously exceptionally well loved/used. Given the C/M chokes, and relative light weight, I think this was someones rainy day grouse gun, which is exactly what I intent to use it for.

[Harold Lee Pickens]

In a 26" gun, I am not surprised by the cyl/mod chokes. I have 2 26' Parkers, a 16 and a 20, and both choked cyl/mod, and supported by factory letters. Great grouse chokes indeed.

[Dave Noreen]

My 1930 vintage, 26-inch, 20-gauge, VH, chambered for 2 1/2-inch shells, sports .022" right and .028" left.

[Rick Riddell]

There’s a lightly stamped 1 in the photo, 1 or 1 1/2 can’t tell.

[Harold Lee Pickens]

Yea, I see it, very faint

[Dave Noreen]

With the 1 1/8-inch firing pin spacing and that very faint 1, the frame must be a 1 1/2.

[Joe Kallo]

With the 1 1/8-inch firing pin spacing and that very faint 1, the frame must be a 1 1/2.

Y'all have eagle eyes: with some bright side light, I do definitely see the 1. I don't, however, see any signs of the 1/2. But with the pin spacing, I assume that's what it is.

Thanks all!

[Dean Romig]

It may be someone's "rainy day" grouse gun today, but in 1925 the price of a VH was about 2 month's pay and was likely the best he could afford and still remain welcome in his own house.





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[Dave Moore]

Today I picked up a high condition DHE 12ga #191110 that also does not have the frame size stamped on the lug. All other markings appear correct. The frame measurements indicate a #2 frame size. The gun weighs 7#4oz. 30” barrels
What do you think?

[Dean Romig]

7 lb., 4 oz. Seems about 4 oz. light for a 2 frame. I have a DH with 30” barrels that weight 7 lb., 8 oz.
What is the exact spacing between firing pin centers?
Could yours be a 1 1/2 frame? That frame size was very common for 12 ga. Parkers.






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[Joe Dreisch]

Magnified, I feel like I can see a 1 and possibly something next to it but can't be certain. The top of the 1 is most prominent of marking. Or, maybe,it's too much coffee...

[Dean Romig]

But the exact measurement between the centers of the firing pin noses is……??






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[Dave Moore]

[QUOTE=Dean Romig;405491]But the exact measurement between the centers of the firing pin noses is……??



Here is a pic

[Dean Romig]

1 1/8” could be either a 1 1/2 frame or a 2 frame but with the total weight of the gun I believe it is a 1 1/2 frame.





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[Dave Moore]

It measures 2 1/4” across the bolsters

[Dean Romig]

So that confirms it being a 1 1/2 frame.





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[Dave Moore]

Any thoughts on why the frame size is not stamped on the lug?

[Dean Romig]

A simple oversight I would think.





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[Arthur Shaffer]

Just a reminder. You shouldn't use a hook end on a tape measure to make a measurement this precise. The method you used in the first picture is the prefered method. This was discussed in a similar thread not long ago.

[Dave Moore]

[QUOTE=Arthur Shaffer;405528]Just a reminder. You shouldn't use a hook end on a tape measure to make a measurement this precise. The method you used in the first picture is the prefered method. This was discussed in a similar thread not long ago.[/QUOTE

Is this better?

[Dean Romig]

Yes it is always better to use a precision instrument.





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[Bill Murphy]

Y'all never heard of a simple vernier caliper? More accurate than a yardstick and easier to understand than a battery operated instrument. Also real cheap on the internet.