I am very surprised that the forend wood is not checkered like a GH.

I have observed cases where higher grade guns had Vulcan barrels added as extra sets and their forend wood matches the grade of the barrels.

Brian; Overall it's a pretty interesting gun being a hybrid of so many different mix & match features.

I just wish someone hadn't butchered the butt stock. I'm trying to decide what I want to do with it. I don't if this one could be repaired & come out looking right or is a re-stock the way to go.

My 1889 vintage GH-Grade that was fitted with a set of Vulcan Steel barrels in the 1918 to 26 time frame is just the opposite. The number 2 forearm is pure GH-Grade in both checkering and engraving.

There are at least 3 VH guns with original Plain Twist barrels. They will be in an upcoming article in PP.

Looks like the price of damascus had increased at this time.

I think striking a set of 'in stock' Damascus barrels to "make light" had a lot to do with the high price of the replacement barrels. A new GH was $80 but this set of replacement barrels was $80 when they should have been $40 tops.
Damascus barrels didn't command a premium in 1902. In fact, they were beginning to be phased out by the various fluid steels being offered by Parker Bros.....

There's something we're not seeing here... or maybe this 'something' wasn't recorded in the books... maybe it has something to do with the illegible entries...






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Paul, send Bachelder a picture of the stock. I've seen guns where he made that poor work done on the flats disappear. He'll mill both sides and inlay new wood - it's almost impossible to see what he did.