Trojan Barrel Markings

[Mark Landskov]

These are the markings on my 1929 vintage Trojan. What does '0V' mean? How about the little 'HT' over 'A'. Is that a Remington code, possibly indicating a return for repair? The PGCA website info is not helping!

[Mark Landskov]

By the way, is there an easier way to remove the forend? It is very secure! Previous owners have left their marks by using various devices to assist in the removal process. Yes, I can remove the forend, but if there is an easier way.....

[Robin Lewis]

I looked up a former forum post for you about removing the forend.... have a read.

http://parkerguns.org/forums/showthread.php?t=1531&highlight=forend+tool

[Mark Landskov]

Thank you!

[Dean Romig]

Mark, the OV is Parker Bros. designation for the ungraded Trojan. We do not know the significance of those letters other than the fact that only the Trojan bears them.

[Jim Williams]

I have always liked Peter Johnson's method for removing the Trojan forend - lay the gun upside down on a couch with the butt against the arm of the couch. Then, facing the gun from the muzzle end, slide your thumbs underneath the gap between the forend tip and barrels and add slight upward pressure as you push your thumbs toward the butt end until it pops up. Of course, couches aren't always handy everywhere you need to take a gun down, but the technique can be adapted to other areas like a padded bench with a wall behind it, etc. Also, as Peter pointed out, it really isn't necessary to take the forend off for general field cleaning, say on an extended week-long hunting trip. A full strip could wait until you get home.

I've always believed (without a shred of evidence) that the "OV" grade designation for the Trojan was a code that indicated "Below V" grade, since the V grade was the lowest grade that existed until the Trojan came out. Kind of like how the Roman Numeral for the number 5 is "V," but for the number 4 it is "IV." How's that for a theory?

Jim

[Dean Romig]

Hmmm... The VH is, in fact, a Grade 0. The Roman Numeral for 3 is III, not IIV and the Roman numeral for 2 is II, not IIIV and the Roman numeral for 1 is I, not IIIIV... I don't know Jim, you could be right, but I don't see the connection. I've thought along those lines too but couldn't convince myself.

I've done it myself with a Trojan back in the early sixties - pulled a good chip off the tip of the forend. I don't like to chance it anymore so when I have a Trojan out to shoot (or to simply lug around in the woods pretending to hunt grouse) I just keep one of my tools in my pocket... and I hardly ever need to use it - but back at camp when I clean the gun (I do that every time I return to camp, even if I never take a shot) I take the gun down to get all the weed seeds and trapped dew outta there.

[Mark Landskov]

Dean's handy tool is exactly what I need. Osteoarthritis on top of neuropathy makes simple chores, like tying shoes or removing a stubborn forend, extremely painful. Any ideas about the little 'HT' and 'A'? Dean, PM sent.

[Dave Suponski]

Mark, I have always thought the HT/A was the symbol for "Heat Treat/Annealed.

[Dean Romig]

Mark, it's going out in today's mail.

Thanks, Dean

[Mark Landskov]

Thank you!

[Mark Landskov]

Brad Bachelder has a restored Trojan 20 on Gun Broker. His barrels also have the 'HT' & 'A' markings.