I was pretty much spoiled my early years as my pop had Parker’s , Fox’s and Smith’s . And of course I used them all . Only one I ever lusted for over a long period of time was a VHE 20 gauge 28” gun that belonged to a family friend who happened to have a gun shop . He and my pop had known each other for many years and I’m sure I started asking our friend if the gun was for sale when I was 10 or 11 . Very rare was the time I went in that shop that I didn’t ask if he was ready to sell the little 20 . Finally got it about five years ago , can’t say I stole it but I wanted it and had been trying to get it for over forty years .

I lucked into a VH 1/2 frame 2 barrel set at a small firearms auction in the Pocono's around 2012. Made in 1937, the gun is all Meriden made with 28" barrels choked mod and full. The gun was returned to Remington in 1938 for the second set off 28" barrels choked cylinder and improved cylinder. This set of barrels are Remington made and the gun has the repair codes from 1938. Did i mention that I have the hang tags and 1937 price list too? Pictures are in my PGCA album. Didn't pay much.

I bought this 0 frame 16 gauge for 200 bucks.
Attachment 102479

Back in the mid 1970's, I was able to meet the acceptance of a high end collector of some of the best side by side shotguns imaginable including Parker, Fox, L.C. Smith, Syracuse Lefever, etc.

And luckily, I purchased some very nice high end Fox's from him as Fox's were my primary collecting interest.

An unfortunate event occurred in his life when his wife died. He sold his collection to a high end dealer who purchased all but one gun, a damascus barreled Parker.

Back then, 1981, damascus barreled guns were not popular and I'm thinking that's why the dealer didn't want it.

So, I bought it.

An AAHE 16 gauge, SN 112920, that in addition to having the owners name "Terrell" engraved on the gold grip cap, his name was repeated many times in the damascus pattern on the barrels. The Terrell gun.

Unfortunately, I don't own it anymore.

My best deal was on a #2 frame GH Damascus, 32" from a member here. I love the gun and enjoy shooting it. Its a really nice gun

We know the gun Bill - one of the most, possibly the most, unique and amazing Parkers ever made.





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Yikes! How do you get rid of an AAHE 16? :)

It wasn't easy Garry, but I traded the Parker for 3 very minty high grade Fox's: a 12, 16 and a 20.

I've always looked at my hunting & gun pursuits as a hobby for my enjoyment. My career was what I did to make money so I could pursue my hobbies.

On the gun end of this hobby. I consider the best purchase I've ever made was my Parker Reproduction 16/20 combo set.

I purchased the gun new in box for $4000.00 back in the mid-90's. Then when Galazans first offered their 16ga barrels I purchased & fit that set to the gun for another $1300.00 making it a three-barrel set with the 26" 20ga & the original 28" 16ga barrels both choked Q-1 Q-2 & the CSMC 28" 16ga barrels IC-Mod making it a very universal upland gun.

What really makes it special though is all the memories attached to it from the miles of carrying it back in the CRP heydays hunting with friends, all the great people I met along the way and the seven great dogs this gun shared the fields with.

The gun has a several well-earned warts on it from the years of use which reminds me that I put every one of them on it. Every time I pick the gun up, the memories of those great times come flooding back making this gun priceless to me. It was a good deal up-front money wise, but a great deal value wise to me!

Seems to me you got he better end of the deal Bill.:bowdown:
Merry Christmas my friend.