Remington era VHE 20 at Cabelas
 

I recently visited a Cabela's Gun Library, and saw in the display case a sweet looking 20 VHE- It had Parker engraved on the front bottom area of the receiver, O frame 26" barrels and they measured Imp. Cyl. right (front trigger) and Mod. left (rear trigger), O size frame, ejectors, pistol grip, splinter, a black whiteline pad expertly added, fit me like a glove, sweet balance and handling- serial number range is 232xxx- BUT- although it has the usual stampings on the barrels flats-- AG-- V-- 3 and a smaller 3 above that, and the Parker Overload Proof markings, there is NO marking at all on the top of the rib- it is straight file cut with no expansion joint and any of the usual Parker Bros. Makers with the inward pointing arrows. I am thinking about buying it for Edith to hunt with, but can anyone possibly shed light as to the absence of top rib markings? Thanks!!:bowdown:

A Remington era Parker will not have any markings on the rib. What was the asking price?

Daryl, it's probably the 20 ga Parker in Cabella's Arizona store Ref# 3232640 selling at $3,499.00 It looks like a restored 20 ga.

"File Cut" is not a description of a Remington rib. A Remington rib appears identical to any other Parker rib with no lettering. Be careful. The 32322640 gun seems to have a standard rib inscription indicating Vulcan Steel. Must be another gun. 232,000 is a little early for a Parker marked "PARKER" on the bottom of the receiver. Maybe you should go back and look again. It may be a good deal.

There's only 2 20ga VHE's listed in Cabella's gun room right now. The second one is an Invincible. The one above that Grantham describes more closely fits Ref# 3232640 with cut barrels at 26". If this one isn't the one he saw, perhaps it's been sold.

20 VHE
 

The one I looked over is/was in Cabela's new store, I don't think they are "on line" with their Gun Library online quite yet. They are asking $4500.00 I don't believe the barrels were cut- as the solder at the muzzles is devoid of file or hacksaw teeth marks, the stippling extends back from the top of the rib to the front sight bead, and the brass Galazan stepped choke gauge is snug at both the Imp. Cyl. and Mod. readings. :cheers:

That answers the question. Thanks Grantham. Good luck with your purchase.

Did you say Cabela's has an " Invincible" 20ga? What are they asking? Half a million or so? I thought that there were only 3 known to exist:Two twelve ga and one 16 ga. Is this an April fools prank or has a new "Invincible" surfaced.
Gerald

If there is only solder at the muzzles between the barrels and the upper and lower ribs you need to be careful. There should be steel 'keels' in those triangular spaces which helped to align the ribs in the soldering process of manufacture. If there is only solder in those spaces the chances are good that the barrels are not Parker barrels or they have been cut.

Gerald, It's just a VHE thats been messed with and had upgraded engraving.

That's correct Edgar, it's just a pseudo upgrade

Thanks to all-
 

It is a VHE 20- Remington era. If I made a few mistakes, sorry. I doubt anyone would have a rare Invincible 20 for sale at Cabela's, or even Gander Mountain, or Scheels. You can see the barrels touch the keels with the solder, they are an even 26" right on the button. Also, the top rib has the wiggly stippling or whatever is the correct term, identical to that on my 1929 era VHE 12 with 30" barrels- but these barrels do not have the ---- Parker Bros. Makers Meriden CT. --- marking- none at all.

I think, being a new store operation, I am going to wait them out a bit, at $4500 perhaps they are at the top of market on their asking price. I have a friend with a 20 gauge Parker Reproduction for sale, and we want to look at that as well.

I am sure that the potential re-sale value of the Remington VHE is greater than possibly the Reproduction Parker, but with either one, we plan to keep it and for Edith to shoot with me, both on clays and game birds.

I'm not sure 'rare' is the right word. There is no such thing as a 20ga. Invincible.

200,000 was a 12ga, and technically it wasn't called an Invincible when it was made.
230,329 was a 16ga., and 233,565 was a 12ga.

Gerald, Cabella's lists this 20 ga "so called Invincible" as Ref#2912193. They have posted this thing as "Parker VHE Grade Invincible". And in the description, they indicate it's a Parker that the Pachmayer's had upgraded for a donation. So, they took a VHE and upgraded it. It's not an original. Edgar's correct.

Thank you for the validation Allen. What took so long?

I was in treatment today and couldn't lift a finger Edgar. Turns out the joint at the base of my left thumb is very arthritic, the pain has been excruciating lately so I thought I'd get it checked out along with a bum shoulder (It's tough staying young, isn't it). Had me tied up for awhile and then I had to see my tax accountant and see what tax liability I might have this year. (Three things that were painful today).

Never say never. It's entirely possible there is a 4th Invincible that has yet to be known, and it could well be it was ordered by a wealthy individual with very poor taste. Perhaps one of the Kardashians.

Grant ,None of my business,just an opinion and I suspect that is what you were asking for at the start of this thread ! Laying resale value aside for a moment,and just looking at the decision to purchase a new 20 Gauge ,There is no question as to which one to buy in my opinion ,as for the price if this Remington era gun has condition ,it is well worth the asking price and Cabelas will usually accept a reasonable offer ,the Repro's are nice but they are not real Parkers and Remington Era guns although they are not considered rare are still very limited in production ! I would say if you ask the majority of Guys that visit this thread regularly ,would you buy a $3500.00 20 Ga. Repro or a $4500.00 Remington era 20 Ga. gun ,the biggest majority would answer immediately the Rem. Era 20 ! As a side note ,I just had one of the leading dealers sell on consignment for me a #1 Frame 16 Ga., GHE with very nice condition for considerable more than the asking price of this 20 Ga. ,I wouldn't hold off long if I were serious ! Again ,Just my opinion ! Good Luck with which ever you choose ! Russ

Grantham, let us know when Cabelas puts your Parker 20 on their website so we can take a look.

Cabela's website
 

I will surely do that. If you wish, you can contact the store and e-mail the Gun Library Department Manager. Most likely you will get a direct reply from him. I am not sure why the newest store has not yet logged into the Cabela's website.
Here is the information to help you. e-mail to: TIM.BAKKER@CABELAS.COM or direct phone number is 616-682-6700.:bigbye:

I don't have a lot of luck getting replies from Cabela's Gun Libraries, even when the message is "I'll take it at your price. Here is my Visa card number." There doesn't seem to be anyone there who gives a damn.

Cabela's
 

Yes, that was also my impression when we visited the new store recently. The 20 VHE Parker was inside a locked glass case, and one of the clerks unlocked the case and handed it to me. I asked him for an OK to remove the forearm and then the barrels, he said he would have to do that, customers were not allowed to do that inspection. He pried on the tip of the splinter forearm, as you might with a Trojan Parker- finally he let me show him how to release the latch, and the forearm came off easily.

I later noticed in the open shelf gun racks some other double guns, including a 12 gauge Winchester skeet grade with beaver-tail style forearm and single trigger, priced at $5250.00 I wondered why the Parker was kept in the locked case, whereas the Model 21 was not. I watched a gentleman heft it, open it, and then slam it shut. Not the way I was taught to close a double gun.

If they will lower to price to $4000, I might buy it. We will get a chance to see and shoot the 20 Parker Reproduction gun this week-end. Thanks for all the good input here.:bowdown:

Why would they lower the price of a $5250 Model 21 to $4000, or were you talking about the Parker which you haven't told us the price of? I think Cabela's is way too close to your house. There are other places to shop to buy good guns. Let's see that Remington Parker you are telling us about.

Grantham, why in hail would I want to contact Cabela's about a gun YOU want to buy? I have reviewed the thread and find that the 20 is a $4500 gun that you are interested in looking at if it were $4000. We still don't know if it has a 232,000 serial number as you said, or a legitimate Remington Parker serial number. We think you should turn your checkbook over to your wife until you read The Parker Story.

Good luck and be careful.

Ooops
 

I am still a newcomer, so please pardon my errors- The Model 21 was at, I believe, $5250, the Parker VHE 20 in the glass display case is priced at $4500. The buttstock was extended and a black Pachmyer "white line" vented recoil pad added, very fine job, but that is an alteration to the originality of the gun, so I had hoped Cabela's might lower the price, but that is not yet confinrmed.

I don't know anything about Model 21 skeet guns, I only mentioned it as I wondered why another expensive double would be out on the open rack for handling, while the Parker 20, at about $750 less, was enclosed in the glass case. I am sorry I failed to get the exact serial number, but perhaps if you contact Tim Bakker he can supply you with that information, and also confirm the situation regarding the buttstock extension and pad on the VHE 20.

I did not mean to cause confusion by mentioning the Model 21 12 gauge. My bad!!!:eek: