Parker 20 Gauge VHE Question
 

Gentleman,

I'm in a bind , I have a deposit on a 1913 20 Gauge VHE Serial # 163212 that will run out this Tuesday . Its a 1 1/2 frame, presently it has 26" barrels. Not sure on the chokes. I'd like to verify barrel length and chokes. One striking feature is the letter "K" stamped on the barrel adjacent to the 1 1/2. I believe this "K" represented a particular person who made these barrels.

If anyone could help soon it would be greatly appreciated

Thank you,

Ed Sartell

I can't speak for the chokes but the serialization book confirms the barrel length.

Ed: I'm not even close to being qualified to be giving advise to someone on a purchase but you may not be in a bind at all but it sounds like you are in first position to purchase a 20 Ga. Parker that left the factory with 26 inch barrels and depending on condition of said gun could be a great buy but don't know what price you are paying and if you post some pictures you will certainly get some great advise on this forum. Thomas

Ed, Others have told you the barrel length but my question would be....Are you sure about the frame size? The majority of Parker 20 gauge guns were built on O frames. We see an occasional 1 frame gun and we know of a couple of larger frame guns but they are few and far between.

Guys Thank you very much!!!! This gun has much better than average remaining case colors and the bluing is mostly intact . And yes its is definitely a 1 1/2 frame as indicated on the barrel lug. The bores are bright, I'll have to figure out whether its chambered for 2 1/2 or 2 3/4 and the chokes........gun priced at $ 1,900.00.

Again,

Thank both of you for your help.

Ed

Ed: It sounds like a keeper.I wouldn't be waiting to long to pick up that VHE 20 if everything else checks out.Thomas

Thomas.... this is painful, store doesn't open until tomorrow.

I hope it is not a 12 ga. "tubed" to 20 ga.

I am not near my book (because some idiot dropped a nail where my tire could find it)

But the serial number is listed, David confirmed the barrel length, so the guage can be confirmed as well.

Does seem odd short barrels on a heavier frame.

Dean,
How would check to see if this has been "tubed'?

The book say it was born a 20 gauge

Nope, the ID & Ser. book lists it as originally a 20 Gauge so it's not a 12 tubed to 20.


Oops... I see you already responded Rick.

just makes it official :)

Thank you

Parker 20 Gauge VHE 26" barrels 1 1/2 frame
 

Dean,

I'm try to attach these pictures.....Attachment 26424

Attachment 26425

Damn I'm still figuring this site out..
Both barrels are choked the same. I'll send other pictures when I can. I just wanted to show this 20 gauge VHE frame size 1 1/2 with 26" barrels.

Picture of Parker 20 gauge VHE 26" barrels 1 1/2 frame
 

Dean,

As you can see the stock has been cut. But the owner had new wood made for the gun......Attachment 26426

I hope that gun belongs to you now. If not, I want it!
Are you sure that stock has been cut? Using the triangular ruler in your picture, the stock measures right on 14 inches and the new replacement measures 16 3/4! And, I see the original stock sports the correct spur butt plate.
Nice gun and very unusual configuration.

Ed, it really does look like 14" roughly. Are you measuring from the front trigger?

I can't wait to see your new VHE. You can shoot skeet at my club with me as my guest.

You have my number... call me and we can plan on a time and day.

Yes I bought this today. I'm praying that stocks perfectly, so far so good. The existing stock is 13 3/4" from the front trigger. I need 14 1/4-3/8. Gun & Stocks $2400.

Dean you & I have a mutual friend.... Bill P. from Nahant. The three of us should get together for a few rounds of skeet. Danvers or Reading would be fine.

Does anyone know how many 20 Gauge 26" 1 1/2 frame guns were made?

Ed, We really don't know that. The frame size wasn't shown in the stock books until much later in production. We would basically need to go through all the 20 gauge guns and look at the requested weight and even at that it would just be a quess. Could you post a picture of the breech end of the barrels?

I have a picture on page two of this thread

Ed,

Have you measured the distance between the firing pin centers on this gun yet?

Wow - small world!! Lets get together soon. I shoot skeet Wednesday evenings and our new 5-stand range on Monday evenings both at Danvers. They both begin at 5 p.m.

Or Reading... it doesn't matter to me. Are the boys at Reading okay with me shooting Damascus guns?

I hope this gun comes to The Vintage Cup. I'd love to see it.

I think the boy's want a picture like this to see how heavy the breech end of the barrels are --

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...rame12-ga6.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...er/Big2001.jpg

Exactly....Thank You Dave.

Dean,
That sounds great. Unfortunately I recently had surgery to re-attached a right bicep tendon to my forearm... I'll need a week ...;)

Parker 20 gauge 1 1/2 Frame Bores & Firing pins
 

Attachment 26435

Attachment 26436

Your picture of the barrel lug was just a bit too far to the left to show the barrel weight. Can we see the barrel flats?

Barrel flats
 

Thanks for the pictures! You really have some gun there!

Can you tell if you think the case colors have been redone at some point. I ask, because looking at the standing breech it looks like the gun hasn't been shot much, if any. The CC are vivid & I can't detect the normal shell head rings seen on gun that have been shot alot.

I hope you are getting a letter on this gun before you do anything to it.

What a great find,

Paul

4 lbs., 1 oz. is the average weight of a light 12 or a heavy 16 and pin centers of 1 1/8" translates to the 1 1/2 and 2 frame Parker. 26" barrels makes it an extremely unusual Parker.
Can't wait to see it up close and personal.

My 2-Frame 32-inch 20-gauge barrels only have a stamped weight of 4 pounds 5 ounces. I see this gun has a 17 stamped on the left barrel flat. My big 20 has a 153 in that location. Any idea what these numbers may mean?

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...ps55c295ea.jpg

Dean,

It'll your more than welcome to shoot this when we meet. Bill P. is checking the new wood for fit.

I have no idea what the 17 means.... I have been told that "K" on my barrel lug was the initial of barrel supervisor at parker.

"K" is the mark of Walter King who took the position of Superintendant of the Parker Bros. Gunworks succeeding his father, Charles A. King, in October 1908. We often see W.K. on barrel flats which may have been his mark before Walter King took the position of Superintendant. For the 'last word' on these matters consult The Parker Story for accuracy of details.

Ed,

Good luck in your recovery. I had a very similar surgery 18 months ago. My orthopaedic surgeon told me it takes a full year for the repair to completely heal. It was a long year:banghead:.

Congratulations on an interesting Parker as well.

Cheers,
Marcus

Marc.... I hoping for better ,I have an appointment today.

Dean,

That's what Bill P. told me. Thanks.