no -there are many gaps in the serial numbers in the serialization book.

OH, thanks to you and all for the quick replies.
No, the barrels have not been sleved and I will get pictures up in the next few days.

Dean, I made a typo on the bbl marking and it is Kf not Bf as I stated in my original liating. I appologize. I'll pics up as soon as I can.

Ed, yours is probably the earliest VH grade gun to surface, an interesting find.

The derivation of this mark has been discussed at least a dozen times on this forum. Bob Runge told me he thought the 'f' stood for "fertig", the German word for "finished". This makes eminent sense when you consider that many employees in the barrel shop in the late 1890's were Germans, and had license to choose their own symbols or characters to signify completion of different stages of work and passage of the barrels to the next stage of gunbuilding. The 'W' is universally recognized as the mark of Walter King.

Pictures of VH 88234
 

All, please see the pics of this early VH. As noted the engraving is simple but more ornate (PH? style) than the pics I have seen of other VH guns. It appears to be in appx. 30-40% with no pitting and blueing remaining on the top and bottom of the barrels. The gun has been in the same family since great-granddad bought it.

Your comments are appreciated.

very nice - I like the little dress up, and 88K is quite early.

the buggered screw slots could be cleaned up , and in the grand scheme of things, not all that bad -

is the head of the stock a bit dark (some oil soaking) or is that just the pics?

thanks for posting the pics

I really like seeing one stay in a family

This is really interesting. Apparently, this gun was made before the V Grade engraving pattern had been finalized and the P pattern was being used. We would have to see more early Vs to determine when the standard V engraving pattern was first used. This is the seventh V Grade made by Parker Brothers. We need to see more V Grades in this serial number block.

I agree Bill. Very interesting.

Grade 1 hammerless guns with Twist barrels were listed as PT

The first fluid steel Parker hammerless gun was the V with Vulcan Steel barrels and may have initially been a Grade 1 as well but with the choice of Vulcan Steel barrels. but.....

we have seen VH Parkers with both Twist and Damascus barrels.

Investigation continues...