Canadian DHE 20 No Safety Checkered Butt
 

Seems like the guns I like most I find by accident. This DHE 20 was built in 1911 and shipped same year to Ashdown Hardware in Winnipeg, Manitoba Canada.

Can't say what happened in-between but recent owner lived in Newfoundland, Canada's Eastern-most province, with it's own time zone 1/2 hour ahead of New York, and I live on Vancouver Island's West Coast - so it travelled over 4,500 kilometers, or six time zones, just getting to newest home.

The barrels appear original finish and measure right at 30". The metal looks to have been buffed to bare with full case colours inside on receiver flats and wood is nice too, possibly refinished but decent job.

Not personally enamored of ejectors, never shoot that fast and have to catch the shells, but it's way it came and their solid. Gun letters perfect except LOP is only 14 vs 14 1/2 per letter. As it was spec'd originally with straight stock, checkered butt w/o plate, the stock doesn't appear altered and iron fits as new.

I have seen different discussions as to what constitutes a 'live bird' gun so no opinion on that but happy to hear other member's theories. I am always learning. What I love about this organization is that everybody chimes in from a position of being helpful and informative.

I'm actually under directions to reduce my toys but since I traded (4) 'off brands' to secure this (1) Parker 20 the Boss can't really gripe!

That's a beauty! I have one similarly configured and it's one of the best quail guns I've ever shot. The stock dimensions and chokes provide clues to its original intended use -- and of the "persuasion" of the person who ordered the gun. That's IF someone didn't alter the gun somewhere down the line. Safeties were not always preferred by hunters, so don't rule out anything. Do you have any other history on that nice little gun?

BTW, congratulations on getting a fine gun...and keeping your Boss content. Those two things are sometimes mutually exclusive.

In the interest(s) of being "helpful and informative", I offer the following observations:

1) GREAT gun! I owned an identical gun for years. Same specs, checkered butt and all. The SN of this gun is framed in the production era of the then-current craze for long-barreled smallbore guns; c. 1911-1917; mine was also in the 156XXX range;

2) Long barrels, straight grips and lack of safeties do not "live bird" guns make; the discrepancy in the LOP on the gun vs. specifications in the letter could have been the result of the original stock being shortened, a pad installed then removed, etc. etc.;

3) Never waste time trying to justify, explain or convince a female ("boss", "manager", etc.) as to the propriety of trading off objects ("toys") in an attempt to balance numbers, so to speak, when procuring a new gun. Since Halloween, at least 21 deliveries from UPS, FEDEX, and USPS contract carriers trucks have darkened our driveway. Not one of them was for me.

Hope this helps; BTW, what is the long streak along the top of the right-hand side of the comb? Looks like the DAC may have been reduced (lowered) and refinished?

That dark streak looks like part of the grain to me, an old scar perhaps.

Great find John. Enjoy it.

The appearance of the checkered butt, to my eyes, suggests two possibilities. The first being the records are incorrect. The second being that the gun was returned to Meriden, for shortening. In either case, I think it is correct in every detail.
Dean, I realize your 28 skeet gun isn’t the same grade, but how do they compare?

Here it is...

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I have a CHE w/ an identical checkered butt.

Reggie, to which; Deans, or the 20ga. DHE?

Sorry for my lack of specificity, the DHE 20 is just like my CHE 20.