28g VH restoration

[Brian Dudley]

I just completed this restoration of a VH 28g. It is on an 00 frame. The gun was a pretty honest gun to start with. It just had no case color remaining, it looked like is was removed or something. And the stock was cut down pretty short.

The owner wanted the gun brought back to like new condition with new wood that was upgraded some from original.

I did that for him by restocking it and restoring all metal finishes. I was also able to save the original stock shield which had a pretty cool christmas gift inscription on it.

The engraving was touched up in spots by Geoffroy and the case color was done by Turnbull.

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[Kevin McCormack]

Brian, one of the nicest resto jobs i have seen! I had the same gun but on a 0 frame, very early gun that someone rested a lit cigarette on the side of the stock (my guess was while tying a boot lace or taking a leak) and had cut it to 13 1/2'' LOP. i had it restocked and got a bump up to better wood, not unlike your job here. Very nice work!

[allen newell]

Brian, your work is by far superior.

[Brian Dudley]

Most will opt to upgrade the wood some if they are paying to restock the gun. When I presented about 7 or 8 wood options to the customer for this one, there were 2 or 3 others that would have been my choice. But he really liked this one. I felt it looked too “modern” initially. But after the work was done, I think it is very attractive.

[Bill Davis]

Wonderful job Brian! I especially like the stock shield. It would be great to know that 1916 Xmas story! Father to son maybe?

[Bob Hayes]

Excellent work again!
Thank you for your help last week

[George Davis]

As always your work is outstanding!!!

[Brad James]

Brian,

The restoration turned out better than expected and I couldn’t be happier with the outcome. I purchased the gun for my wife because it’s 5lbs, 1oz with 26” barrels and in 28ga which is our preferred gauge for hunting quail in South Texas. The metal work is excellent with correct barrel polish and bluing, proper screws and recut of the engraving. Turnbull did an outstanding job on the case color. As for the wood, I appreciate your recommendation to replace the fore end wood, and it matches the butt stock perfectly. In my opinion, our goal to restore the gun to period-correct original was accomplished. We had considerable discussions regarding wood selection and didn’t want to go overboard with wood that wasn’t correct for a VH Grade. Although the wood is better than the original, I own several factory field grade guns with wood containing feathering as this one now does so I don’t think we went too far on wood selection. The original stock had been shortened with a pad added and we weren’t sure what the original butt plate was. In checking with the Parker Research Committee, there was no record of the original butt plate, so we had to assume the original was a dogs head with spur. The one you installed is beautiful and I’m confident we made the right selection. As for the stock shield “DLS Christmas 1916” we don’t know the history, but I think we can all agree it adds to the provenance of the gun. With the restoration complete, I commend you on your craftsmanship and attention to detail. We now have a correctly restored 109-year-old gun that looks as good as it did on Christmas Day 1916.

I also must commend my friend and fellow Parker enthusiast, Keith Doty. He recommended you for the project and insisted that we restore the gun to period correct as close to original as possible. Keith’s advice has led to a superb outcome for everyone involved. It’s gratifying to see a plan come together and exceed expectations.

[Travis Sims]

Brian is that a reproduction butt plate? If so it's very nice example.

[Brian Dudley]

Yes. It is a reproduction plate molded from a new old stock plate. It is the highest quality reproduction plate available on the market.

[Alfred Houde]

Always good to see them saved and restored correctly for others to enjoy. Nice job.

[Bill Murphy]

Fifty three years ago, I had Larry Del Grego Senior redo a nice little William Wagner VH 28 for me. It really didn't need it, but it got done anyway. Paul Jaeger had recheckered the wood, so it was just minor metal refinishing. I have shot that gun for sixty five years without any problems. I ground out the rim recesses on a Bridgeport vertical mill so the shells would fit. Neither Jaeger or Del Grego knew how to do it, so I took it on. It was my first Parker, in 1960, when I was 14 years old.

[Keith Doty]

I'd like to thank Brian for the beautiful job on Brad's 28. When he told me about the gun I urged him to get "hands on" and let me look it over before buying. When he brought it in it appeared correct in all respects, measured good, very little not to like. I told him to either buy it or give me the sellers phone number! I was fearless in pointing him in Mr. Dudley's direction to have the gun restored, having seen many examples of Brian's work. Now, if I can just get him to bring it by, or better, get him to meet me for a morning shoot with a flat of 28's!

[edgarspencer]

I ground out the rim recesses on a Bridgeport vertical mill so the shells would fit. Neither Jaeger or Del Grego knew how to do it, so I took it on. It was my first Parker, in 1960, when I was 14 years old.

I have seen so many early 28 gauge guns that had tight rim recesses. One I owned came from the grandson of a woman in Tampa Florida, who only shot brass cased ammo because paper shells swelled in the Florida humidity. I had passed on my set of James Hayes rim cutters to another member, but borrowed the 28 ga tool back. It took all of ten minutes to open up both recesses.
Hard to imagine Larry Delgrego not knowing how to open them up.

[Brian Dudley]

I had to open up the rims on this gun too.

[Gerald McPherson]

Brian would you tell us makes that butt plate?

[Brian Dudley]

I have them. The actually maker does not sell to the public.