Trojan VS. VH

[Matt Valinsky]

Being a weanling in the world of Parker Brothers shotguns, I have a question.

I've looked at both the Trojans and VH's, What exactly are the differences, is it only cosmetics or are there differences in the innards? Aside from condition, I'm trying to understand the price spread between the two.

It is after all, a learning experience and one needs to start at the begining.

Thanks

[Brian Dudley]

This question has been asked often on the forum. Search for past threads for more detail. But the primary difference is less hand finishing as to save costs. The internal workings are identical between Trojans and all other grades. The forend latching is different on Trojans since they used a lower cost "friction" type fastener Vs. An exposed latch. Less shoe filing and hand engraving on the frame was the other major labor cost savings in the Trojan.

[Matt Valinsky]

Thanks brian for your response. Actually I had done a search for that info. I saw here the info was pretty much what you said, just thought there might be more that involved the mechanical difference if there were any.

The VH's I've seen had wood no better than what is on my Trojans. With the exception of the differences in the forearm attachment and the engraving and of course the pistol grip cap I thought there might be mechanical upgrades between the VH's and the Trojans .

Again, thanks

[Brian Dudley]

Some VH guns have very plain wood and others were very nice. I think that nicer wood was out on a lot of later VH guns. Finding a Trojan with any figure in it is rare.

There were many changes made to the Parker action in the 1910-1912 period by James P. Hayes. These changes were related to the top lever and bolting mechanism. A 1pc. Sear spring was used made to replace the 2pc ones. All of Hayes' changes were part of the "$25 Gun Project". The goal of this project was to be able to make a gun that could be sold for $25 and be able to compete with other manufacturers.
The result of he $25 gun project was the Trojan, which was introduced in the end of 1912. But all changes that were brought about were put into ALL grades of Parkers. Not just the new Trojan.
Look for an upcoming article on James P. Hayes and the $25 gun project that i have wrote in an upcoming issue of The Double Gun Journal. Possibly the Summer issue.

[Matt Valinsky]

Good stuff Brian, thanks

[Dave Noreen]

The Trojan was only a double trigger, plain extractor gun, with no choice of grip style, only offered in three gauges and a very limited selection of barrel lengths. A handful of very late Trojans left Ilion with Parker single selective triggers. The VH-/VHE-Grade was a Parker in every sense of the word. They could be had in all gauges from 10-gauge to .410-bore, all barrel lengths, came on a variety of frame sizes, and could be had with any or all the options Parker Bros. offered, ejectors, single selective trigger, beavertail forearm, vent rib, choice of grip style, on and on.

[Pete Lester]

The Trojan was only a double trigger, plain extractor gun, with no choice of grip style, only offered in three gauges and a very limited selection of barrel lengths. A handful of very late Trojans left Ilion with Parker single selective triggers. The VH-/VHE-Grade was a Parker in every sense of the word. They could be had in all gauges from 10-gauge to .410-bore, all barrel lengths, came on a variety of frame sizes, and could be had with any or all the options Parker Bros. offered, ejectors, single selective trigger, beavertail forearm, vent rib, choice of grip style, on and on.

A Trojan is still a Parker, with the Parker quality in it's construction, most notably the regulated barrels and fantastic Parker chokes. My first Parker was a Trojan, I still have it, still shoot it on occasion and don't think I would ever sell it. They didn't come with all the bells and whistles of the graded guns, they are not collectible in the monetary aspect of collecting Parkers, unless near new or unfired but there is still much to be proud of in a Trojan. They are good shooters that even after 100 years seldom let one down and they are far more satisfying to me than a Browning, Ithaca SKB and the like. It was an entry level gun new and still is today, no reason not to own one along with as many other Parker's one can afford.

[Dave Noreen]

It was not my intention to denigrate the Trojan Grade. I was explaining the differences between the Trojan and the VH-/VHE-Grade which was the original question of this thread.

[Bill Murphy]

Ed Muderlak's old supposedly new condition 12 gauge Trojan brought over ten grand at auction for its next owner. A 12 gauge Trojan with lots of color but some brown stains on the receiver brought $4025 at Julia's last weekend. I like them a lot, have one that would be a good boat gun, either as a shooter or an anchor.

[Brian Dudley]

That is a lot of money for a 12g Trojan. Especially considering that $1,000 - 1500 will usually buy a pretty nice one. Must have been top condition.