Vh 28

[John Taddeo]

Looking back at some older threads I recalled a Vh 28 gauge that was for sale at the Gettysburg show, and happened upon the gentleman who was selling that particular gun. After a cup of coffee and some conversation the gentleman allowed me to take the gun down (yes I got the same 21 forearm story) and what I found were matching serial numbers distinctly worn and aged in proportion to the gun. Upon looking at the barrels they did measure 28 inches , not in agreement with SI book. Looking at the matting although quite faded, with a glass I saw the spacing and line at the end , again with the proportional 109 years of wear. Going a little further I found the gun to be choked at .010 and .016. I was intriuged by the bold lettering on the reciever (never saw that before) and took a picture (yes at a gun show). I don't quite agree with the 32" theory. Any thoughts?

[John Taddeo]

Here is a pic of the reciever if I can load the dam thing

[Pat Dugan]

What was the asking price??

[John Taddeo]

The gentleman had it at $6500.

[Daryl Corona]

I hope you jumped at it at that price.

[John Taddeo]

Like a Steelhead on a lazer fly. I did however heed Mr. Murphy's advice from an earlier thread on doing a little homework (thanks Bill) and contacted the Delgrego's with all the info I could gather, and later sent them the gun to confirm , and they did. When my wife asked how my Christmas was, she has no idea. I think I will keep it that way. I must say I appreciate the help I recieved from the Delgregos.

[Dean Romig]

What is the serial number range please?

If it is a "transition" gun, which may not have originally had either Parker Bros. on the sides of the frame or Parker on the bottom, there is the possibility that some previous owner thought it prudent to identify the gun by stamping the sides of the frame.
Is there anything roll-stamped on the rib besides the matting, like Parker Bros., Makers, Meriden, Ct. USA Vulcan Steel?

[John Taddeo]

It is a 116 range (1903). Larry has told me this is not the first gun they have seen with the style of lettering on the reciever, as this one is carrying. I did look hard with a good glass and found the surface of the steel to be consistent throughout.

[John Taddeo]

Sorry, the matting is stamped with parker bros, meriden Conn.vulcan steel. I dont know to the letter as Larry still has the gun. It is marked on the matting, to answer your question.

[Dean Romig]

Thanks John. The serial number tells us it is not a transition gun.

I wonder what the story is about the Parker Bros stamp on the frame sides.

[John Taddeo]

When I can (I dont want to wear out a welcome ) I will be sure to ask if the guns they have seen with this configuration have a common denominator.

[John Taddeo]

I will tell you they were in no way surprised to see this style of lettering. Beats me.

[Dean Romig]

Please let us know what you learn regarding this.

[John Taddeo]

I most certainly will.

[John Taddeo]

I did speak with the Delgregos on the relevance of the lettering on the frame of this vh 28 and what they told me (I will give the gist of it ). The denominator here is the guns they have seen were "side door or back door" guns that went out in a non-normal process(such as perk to supplier and\or favor to a friend). I didn't ask if the Vh was the only grade to which they have seen this or if some of these guns may have been used to fill orders at another date. They did say that this lettering is connsistent with what has been seen in the past. That is the gist of it.

[Bill Murphy]

You should get a PGCA letter on this gun as soon as possible. It could be interesting. I wonder if that could be a stamp of some sort. I've never seen one like that, but I'm a bit late to the Parker game.

[John Taddeo]

Bill, Im thinking thats a great idea. Lets see where this gun has been. Myself and two shorthairs already know where it will be going.

[John Taddeo]

The only other point that another gentleman, whom looked at this gun, made to me after looking at the letters was. In his opinion by looking at the cut angles of the lettering that they had been made prior to any surface hardening. I am not wanting to solve the Kennedy assasination , I was just thinking its a pretty interesting little grouser.

[John Taddeo]

I checked and a letter is available, so lets see where that takes me.

[Jeff Christie]

Interesting grouser (?); I think it should be practically perfect!!! All the kids I pal-ed around with in Spencer, Iowa all shot their first rooster with a neighbor lady's 28 VHE. It was her 16th year birthday present.

[John Taddeo]

Not to pry ,but about what year did she get that birthday gift? And I sure wish that had been my 16th birthday present. My father got me a part time job instead.

[Jeff Christie]

I would guess about 1920 or 21. She also got a horse (we all rode) and a dachshund (which bit most of us- we needed it). The horse lived to the high 20's and the dog was put down at 20 or 21. She was originally from French Lick, Indiana. She was truly a legend in her own time. We all loved her. They broke the mold after her.

[John Taddeo]

Thats good stuff, I could only imagine the roosters and hunting at a time of old farming practices. It does hold true the meaner the dog,the longer they live.

[John Farrell]

Dean - I don't recall what type engraving was on the 1901 Parker VH 28 I passed along to Dave Miles. You might ask Dave for his view of this issue.

[Dean Romig]

Jeff, what a great lead-in for a Parker Pages story!! We'd love to read about the gun and the lady if you care to send me something we can publish for all to enjoy. I had to start off with a 12 gauge Trojan but it would sure have been a better experience with a 28 gauge VHE.

[Bill Murphy]

Jeff, when you told that story, all I could think of was "Summer of 42". Everyone should have some sort of neighbor lady to bring them along.

[Dean Romig]

I have such a memory. I was thirteen and she had just graduated high-school. A buxom redhead with freckles all over.... *blushes*

[Jeff Christie]

Dean- I'll think on it but probably will give it a try. There are a great deal of sensitivities to the memories.

John- Yes it was pheasant Mecca. Birds were everywhere. It was the era when most corn was harvested by a 'picker' attached to or towed behind a tractor. It was generally left on the ear and dried in cribs. The fields were left full of stubble, stalks, husks, etc and were lousy with birds. Combines were unheard of for corn. It all ended in the late 60's-early 70's with the end of the Soil Bank Program. The birds did not return until the advent of CRP. Sadly, that program is dying (budget) with the high price of corn and beans. Fallow land is history.

[Jeff Christie]

John- I just re-read my initial post. The lady was born in 20 or 21 making her sixteen around the mid- 1930's. I am reasonably certain the gun was purchased in Chicago at V.L. & A.

[John Taddeo]

Jeff ,I can't help but think everyone would love to live in that day and age, although I wonder if people in that day wish they lived at an earlier day. I have to think that stops somewhere.

[John Taddeo]

You got me on V.L.& A. This stands for?

[John Taddeo]

And please make sure some pictures go with the story.

[Jeff Christie]

V. L. & A. was (maybe still is in a morphed form) a very upscale sporting oriented store. I have seen it written somewhere as Van Lidtke & Antoinne (spelling(?)) or something akin thereto. It may have been absorbed by Abercrombie and Fitch, I don't know. I remember visiting the store in Chicago ( 8 Wabash ??) many times. They had some wonderful CM Russel and Frederick Remington paintings and bronzes. Lots of cool stuff.

I don't know how to post pictures. Most of them got burned up in a fire my parents endured. I'll see what I can do. The lady is long gone and buried in Montana.

[Dean Romig]

Dean- I'll think on it but probably will give it a try. There are a great deal of sensitivities to the memories.

John- Yes it was pheasant Mecca. Birds were everywhere. It was the era when most corn was harvested by a 'picker' attached to or towed behind a tractor. It was generally left on the ear and dried in cribs. The fields were left full of stubble, stalks, husks, etc and were lousy with birds. Combines were unheard of for corn. It all ended in the late 60's-early 70's with the end of the Soil Bank Program. The birds did not return until the advent of CRP. Sadly, that program is dying (budget) with the high price of corn and beans. Fallow land is history.


I grew up in a farming community - not like the vast midwest but a lot of folks had small market farms and most grew their own family produce. There were cornfields but rarely exceeded twenty acres in my area. The best times I remember from my youth were the mid-fifties to the mid-sixties. We too enjoyed pheasant mecca but it ended by the late sixties to early seventies.

[Dean Romig]

Dean- There are a great deal of sensitivities to the memories.



I'm sure there must be Jeff. Send me a PM and we can discuss it privately.

[John Taddeo]

I am thinking it will be a great story Jeff. I'm Looking foward to it

[Kevin McCormack]

You got me on V.L.& A. This stands for?

Just Google up Von Lengerke & Antoine for a great full page history of these comanies and their evolution throughout the 20th century. Gun cases with either mark(s) are coveted for our fine American doubles.

[Jeff Christie]

Dean-

I'll try the PM route tomorrow. Iowa farms in the 40's, 50's and into the early 60's were not the larger tracts they are today. LOTS of kids were raised on a 40 or an 80. A big farm was a 1/4 section. Cornfields were small and all had fence rows. These provided great cover. Cows and pigs were turned into the fields after the harvest to glean up the leftovers. There were actual houses w/ people living in them who invariably granted permission. Today, very few homesteads remain. You try to run the farmer or the owner down with a plat book. Good luck with that.

Kevin- I met you when I lived in Falls Church and was stationed at the Pentagon. I have an old Dickson oak and leather case you looked at. I joined the PGCA at a gun show over in Harrisonburg. I also have a LOM VL&A Chicago case. Unfortunately it is pretty well shot. It makes a nice display item.

[Rich Anderson]

Dean - I don't recall what type engraving was on the 1901 Parker VH 28 I passed along to Dave Miles. You might ask Dave for his view of this issue.

If memory serves Dave sold this gun to Steve Barnett at the Southern several years ago.

[Dean Romig]

Right Rich. I just traded emails with Dave and that's what he said.

Unfortunately, he didn't remember anything about the "Parker Bros." on the sides of the frame.

[John Taddeo]

Kevin,Jeff- I was watching the late game then opened the first Google link to VL&A and it had a 1933 catalogue opened to a Parker shotgun add. Close to the year of this womans birthday present.. That was strange. Wish the Texans had come up with the same kind of luck.

[allen newell]

Go Patriots! :bigbye::bowdown:

[Dean Romig]

Rip - Rah - Ree - Kick 'em in da knee!!

Rip - Rah - Rass - Kick 'em in da other knee!!

All the way Pats!!

[John Taddeo]

Ahemm... lets go Ravens. Cmon, one more for Ray.