If you could find some bronze wool it would be even better than the steel, it's a little less agressive.

Mark: SN looks to be 212649 (most apparent on the trigger bow)
if correct, the book shows
V grade
Hammerless
Extras code 2 = Ejectors
Capped Pistol Grip
12 gauge
28 inch barrels

Nice looking gun. Family provenance makes it even more special to own.

Stay safe

Jack

Mark: Great looking Parker. Stay safe and U.S. AIR FORCE . NO ONE COMES CLOSE. Thomas L. Benson Sr.

Thanks for the replies from Harry, George and Bindlestiff! I especially want to say thanks for the recommendation on how to best clean my Parker; I definitely want to do it the proper way so as not to detract from the gun. I had no idea this was a VHE gun...I read/researched a lot so far but obviously I missed that! Of course, once I actually fire it...! Funny comment about picking the shells off the ground, Harry. The serial number fo my gun is 212649 (see pic). I measured the barrel length and I think it was 28" (my memory isn't always the greatest). Can't wait to shooot it when I get home. I took pics of the gun and loaded them onto my laptop the day before I deployed---my piqued interest in guns is due to my wife wanting to take firearm/self defense training, so I bought her a pistol and she determined she LOVES guns! Needless to say, I've always loved guns, but never grew up in an environment that enjoyed firearms for recreation. I have a small collection of guns, mostly of a military heritage; but now that my wife is on board with going to the gun range, "our" collection has surged recently, and also led to me researching the other two hand-me-down firearms. This has been quite fun! Before i deployed, My wife Dawn and I took concealed carry training, took two one-on-two formal handgun training classes, and then took a formal course called "Pistols II" which builds on basic handgun skills. We've been shooting handguns a good half-dozen times at the range, and I've shot (and cleaned) all the handguns in my collection now. When I return, however, I want to start pulling out my long guns and shoot (and clean) all of those! That will include the Parker! :)

Wow! I just posted this and saw that there were several other posts i hadn't read! Obviously i hadn't caught on to the fact that there was a page 2 of posts. Thanks Chris T., Tarnation, and Thomas Bensen for your posts, observations and recommendations! It is greatly appreciated. It was coincidental that I mentioned the barrel length and sent the pics I selected---my memory was correct for a change, and one of the pics I sent I guess is the (optional?) capped pistol grip! Very cool!

Actually Mark, the capped pistol grip was the standard, any other style of grip would be less common.
That's a very nice VHE in great original condition, from what I can see, and it should provide hours upon hours of shooting and hunting recreation for you and generations into your family's future.

I salute you for your service to our great country.

Alright, PGCA, I just mailed a check for $60.00 with a Parker Research Letter request. I appreciate all the help and information you guys gave me about my shotgun, and now i will have official documentation about its history.

Is there any way to determine who purchased it and when/where?

I will keep it clean and fire it lovingly forever. The fact that you guys even provide this service for these pieces of history is just "Patriotic"!

Proud to Serve...

Mark Ciarlone
Deployed, 960 EAACS

That's a very nice V-grade. Especially nice wood for a V grade. You did well on that one. Good for you. I hope you and your wife do your best to wear it out.... but good luck with that if you try; they last a long time if properly cared for. My first Parker was an inherited vhe20 and I treasure it above all the others I've accumulated since. Thanks for your service and come home safe. And please pass my, and I'm sure all of our thanks on to your fellow soldiers over there.

You may learn who, or rather, what hardware store or sporting goods supplier ordered your Parker if the order book still exists for the serial number range of that gun but rarely on the lower grades do the records provide the name of the individual for whom the gun was ordered.

Mark,thanks to all you out there fighten for our great country. What you got your wife shootin? Thoes Old doubles are adicting, you got a nice one. Godspeed ch Post Script Oh our country is great but sometimes I wonder about the ones running it.