Upgraded Wood?

[Sam Hershfield]

http://i1078.photobucket.com/albums/w497/jillandsam303/P1060930.jpg

This is the stock from my 1915 VH 12 Gauge. The wood looks like a higher grade than normal. What do you guys think?

Sam Hershfield

[Rick Losey]

i'll trade you my VH wood for it :)

it does look nicer than the norm

is it serial numbered to the gun?

[Sam Hershfield]

I'm hesitant to check the serial number. Don't want to touch any Parker screws. Probably too protective of my baby.

[Bruce Day]

Pull the trigger guard tang. There will be the SN and grade number in the channel. The wood is more like grade 2 wood but nice wood is not uncommon.

Sitting in the sun in Lawrence Kansas watching the Kansas Relays.

[Rick Losey]

I don't (yet) have a copy if the "BOOK" but I would suggest two options

post the serial number for someone to look up- there is a chance an upgrade is noted - last time I needed that help - I had the answer in a few minutes from one of the great members here.

or - send for a letter on the gun - the link is on the home page.

i can't claim to be an expert - one of them will comment eventully, but if that is original - that would be the best wood I have seen on a V

see - one chimed in whilst i was pecking at the keyboard :)

[Sam Hershfield]

I have the Parker letter for this gun. It doesn't mention the stock at all. The serial number is 170065.

[Dean Romig]

From what I can see of the checkering, which ain't much, it looks quite original to me. We really can't tell much about whether a stock might be original or a replacement by the grain alone. The checkering style and execution as well as the nose of the comb and a few other aspects will be more helpful but I will stand by my gut feeling that the checkering looks original.

[Pete Lester]

Hard to tell, I think I can see a hint of the gold shield and looks to be almost exactly midway between the end of the pistol grip cap and the dhpb which is kind of odd to me.

[Mark Landskov]

If you lift the trigger guard, be very careful. If it has been in place for a few decades, or more, you can very easily damage the wood. Go slow and easy. I learned many lessons over the years, and trigger guards was one of them! Good luck!

[Kevin McCormack]

Before you try to lift the tang, back the tang screw out about 3 full turns and tap both sides of the trigger guard alternately with a soft-faced mallet (plastic or wood). Do this gently! Most times this will "shimmy" or vibrate the guard and tang along its full length and free it from the surrounding wood fibers along the surface of the inlet the guard and tang were fitted in. If you just try to pull it upwards vertically, there is a good chance you will strip some wood tendrils along the upper surface of the inlet free in splinters. Go slowly and don't force anything - over time the metal and wood seem to "grow into one another." Creating this vibration allows the metal to "shake off" the wood, so to speak.