0 Frame 16s

[Garry L Gordon]

Doing some Spring wipe downs and thought I'd pass on photos of several 0 frame 16s. The top two photos are of a PH and GH. I'm a sucker for all composite metal barrels. The wood on these two guns is above grade as far as I am concerned.

The bottom photo is a very rare (only 4?) CHE 0 frame with those lovely Bernard barrels. It weighs just 6 lbs., while the other two are a bit heavier, in the 6 lbs. 6 oz. range. They all have shootable dimensions (2 1/2" DAH), and they all have taken birds for me.

Gotta love the 0 frames for how they feel in the hand and balance.

[Mike Franzen]

I agree Gary. I have 2 0 frame 16’s. Both are 30” bbls. 1 is a VH and 1 is a grade 2 hammer gun with damascus.

[Steven Groh]

Hoarders. :nono:
Leave some for the rest of us!

[Craig Larter]

Doing some Spring wipe downs and thought I'd pass on photos of several 0 frame 16s. The top two photos are of a PH and GH. I'm a sucker for all composite metal barrels. The wood on these two guns is above grade as far as I am concerned.

The bottom photo is a very rare (only 4?) CHE 0 frame with those lovely Bernard barrels. It weighs just 6 lbs., while the other two are a bit heavier, in the 6 lbs. 6 oz. range. They all have shootable dimensions (2 1/2" DAH), and they all have taken birds for me.

Gotta love the 0 frames for how they feel in the hand and balance.

You have a great eye for pretty guns, thanks for the pictures.

[Andrew Sacco]

Droooool...

[Dean Romig]

I love that CHE Garry!
I too have a bunch of 0-frame 16’s both hammer guns as well as hammerless. I’ve sent a few of them down the road and still kick myself for it. I still have three hammer guns and I think, four hammerless guns. One of the hammerless guns, a GH has been admired by some as having the finest GH engraving they had seen. I discovered why four years ago (after owning it since 2004) when I finally ordered a PGCA Research Letter on it and learned it had been made to be a display gun for the 1893 World’s Fair Columbian Exposition… My Goodness :shock:





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[joe tilford]

Beautiful!

[Bill Murphy]

The C Grade is outrageous. Thanks.

[keavin nelson]

Garry, having recently reviewed the Serialization book for CHE 16ga guns, your Bernard barreled beauty is 1 of 1, in the total of 27 made!

[Jerry VanHorn]

I'm like Dean...I have 6 "O" frames..including a 90% hammer that I bought in Maine years ago...VH..GH...PH..2 straight grips ..Haven't seen a quail on my farm in 5 years !..

[Garry L Gordon]

Thanks for the nice comments and for sharing your addiction to 0 frame 16s. I have several others, including two hammer guns that are consecutively numbered. I don’t shoot the hammer guns well (even with my poor shooting considered), but I still like carrying them.

[Stan Hoover]

Thanks for sharing the pictures Gary,

Are you really going to leave us hanging without showing us pictures of the 2 hammer guns:cuss:

[Garry L Gordon]

Garry, having recently reviewed the Serialization book for CHE 16ga guns, your Bernard barreled beauty is 1 of 1, in the total of 27 made!

Bruce Day and I each have 16 gauge Bernard guns. His is on a 1 frame. We thought there were 4 16 gauge Bernard guns estimated. However many, they’re scarce…and treasured.

[Garry L Gordon]

Thanks for sharing the pictures Gary,

Are you really going to leave us hanging without showing us pictures of the 2 hammer guns:cuss:

I’m searching through my photos. Stan, they are by no means collector specimens, but then, neither am I. :rotf:

[Dean Romig]

I had an “unfired” Grade-1 16 0-frame with Laminated Steel barrels in 99% condition but it was one of the two Parkers I sold to pay off my house mortgage when I was downsized aboyt ten years ago. Some of you may remember that gun.





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[Mills Morrison]

The 0 frame 16 is my favorite Parker configuration.

[allen newell]

I have my grandfathers/dad's 16 ga VH. Had Larry DelGrego restore it yrs ago as it was much in need of a good restoration including all new wood to my dimensions. Still my favorite bird gun among all other Parkers I have. 16s rule in my book. New England grouse gun for years.

[Garry L Gordon]

I finally found the photos. They are not great, just part of my records. The top two photos are of a GH 0 frame 16 I paid far too much for, but it has condition...and only 2 1/2" drop @ heel. Tightly choked, but with spreaders it takes wild Bobs when pointed in the right direction.

The bottom two are my lightening cut 0 frame "twins," consecutively numbered guns purchased 2 years apart at auction. The bottom one has a straight stock and handles nicely. The one pictured above it has lots of drop and makes me an even worse shot...but a happy guy when I carry it. If I recall correctly, these guns were part of a "batch" of 16s, either 4 or 6. I often wonder if they were all 0 frames, and what they're up to now.

[Stan Hoover]

Very Nice Garry,

Thanks for allowing us a look, you have Great Taste:)

[Harold Lee Pickens]

PH 16 Twist
GH 16 Damascus
DHE 16 Titanic
O Grade 16 hammer

Raining here, thread made me want to get out my O frame 16s

[Garry L Gordon]

PH 16 Twist
GH 16 Damascus
DHE 16 Titanic
O Grade 16 hammer

Raining here, thread made me want to get out my O frame 16s

Nice!!

[Clark McCombe]

A 12 is too heavy
A 20 a little light
I think the 16 is just right.
I’m lucky the first Parker I fired was a 16.
There are no 16 Ga repros? Correct?
Is there a sxs 16 modern gun?
The cost of 16 Ga shells and abcence of light loads is pushing me to reloading.

[Garry L Gordon]

A 12 is too heavy
A 20 a little light
I think the 16 is just right.
I’m lucky the first Parker I fired was a 16.
There are no 16 Ga repros? Correct?
Is there a sxs 16 modern gun?
The cost of 16 Ga shells and abcence of light loads is pushing me to reloading.

Yes, Clark, there are modern 16 side-by-sides. Two to consider are the CSMC FOX, and AyAs. I have both and can vouch for both. I’m pretty sure the Turkish guns come in 16s. No doubt someone will chime in for more options.

[Harold Lee Pickens]

Clarke, 3/4 & 7/8 oz loads in the 16 are wonderful in an O frame 16, that's what started me into reloading. I shot 100 rounds of one ounce Remington game loads through my Ithaca 16 the other day and they had a sharp bite.

[Steven Groh]

A 12 is too heavy
A 20 a little light
I think the 16 is just right.
I’m lucky the first Parker I fired was a 16.
There are no 16 Ga repros? Correct?
Is there a sxs 16 modern gun?
The cost of 16 Ga shells and abcence of light loads is pushing me to reloading.

I had Arrieta built what I consider the perfect prairie gun, through the now defunct New England Arms: a 16 gauge sidelock with 30" barrels, custom dimensions, straight grip, splinter forend, and super wood. It has been my favorite upland gun for 20 years.

I bring other guns along, because good guns deserve to be shot, but if I am experiencing a shooting slump, I know which case to reach for.

[Bill Murphy]

Clark, there are 16 gauge Repros, all 0 frames. There are also dozens of makes of modern 16s. As far as 16 gauge ammo goes, "Watch the obituaries.". Many of us have been hoarding 16 gauge ammo for a long time.

[Keith Doty]

I'm particularly weak for "0" frame 16s. 3 or 4 fluid steel and a recently acquired Damascus I've lusted after for a couple of years. "Carries like a 20, hits like a 12" was the saying when I was a kid and 16s were common. I load a 7/8 1185 fps round. Pleasant to shoot in guns under 6# (2 of mine are, 26") and works just fine on doves, quail, and clays. The 5#13oz is a favorite quail gun.

[Clark McCombe]

My original 16 is a pretty beat up gun. I keep that in the pick-up and tractor to keep the woodchucks at bay. It’s choked mod and full. Even me, a poor shot, have stopped a lumbering chuck with #6 shot and full choke.
I’ve acquired 2 other Parker’s and an Ithaca from members here. I feel a little guilty for not using them more, but feel the other Parkers in the cabinet all need a workout but also the lightest modern shells seem to jolt the gun more than I would like. It’s one thing to get a shot off at a “ground grizzly” and another to go through a couple boxes shells trying to break clays.
I have a few reloaded 16s given to me to try and they’re great. I just need to find the time to get set up :)

[Garry L Gordon]

I'm particularly weak for "0" frame 16s. 3 or 4 fluid steel and a recently acquired Damascus I've lusted after for a couple of years. "Carries like a 20, hits like a 12" was the saying when I was a kid and 16s were common. I load a 7/8 1185 fps round. Pleasant to shoot in guns under 6# (2 of mine are, 26") and works just fine on doves, quail, and clays. The 5#13oz is a favorite quail gun.

Keith, a 26 inch gun that’s under 6 pounds sounds like a treasure. My CHE has 28 inch barrels and weighs right at 6 lbs. The others are between about 6-4 and 6-7, except the hammer guns which are nearer to 7 lbs.

Clark, my 16 gauge Fox is, by request, under 6 lbs and has 29 inch barrels. Since I only hunt with my guns, and don’t shoot many birds, the recoil issue is not a factor. You can still have a bespoke gun and not have to sell the farm (pun intended) with the Spanish guns. I’d suggest getting fitted first after you are happy with your shooting mechanics. And note that, like so many other things, you’ll see changes as you age.

[Clark McCombe]

Speaking of bespoke.
Beverly and I just left London- checking out gun shops and the Louvre at the moment in Paris - Holland and Purdy were amazing - more on them when I’m back and can post pics.

There is just something I feel when I pick up a gun with history.
It’s a discussion that can go several ways. Pick up a gun and adapt to it or have the gun tailored to fit. There are arguments both ways.
One of my 16’s had a badly deteriorated butt pad, which I had lengthened a bit to 15” LOP.
It’s choked mod and ic.
Can’t wait to get home and try it.

[Bill Murphy]

Purdy? Sounds like big bucks.

[Art Aytay, Jr.]

I hope I can add to this thread.... I too have a Parker 16, O frame. It's a PH, that looks like it was hardly shot..... BUT, the butt stock was cut off so as Gene Hill once said, "it was fitted to an Abyssinian dwarf". I know that this was done a very long time ago, as the recoil pad on the gun was an early Jostam 2 ply sponge runner pad. This was the pad that was put on the Winchester Model 12, Ladies Trap Gun.

[Garry L Gordon]

Art, you absolutely added to the thread. The PH twist is a favorite pattern of mine, and a 16 0 frame…well it doesn’t get any better. Thanks for sharing your gun with us.

[Gerald McPherson]

The engraving on that PH sure pops. I like it.