Rib hight on VH 20's
 

I had my 2 Parker 20's together on Wed and noticed a considerable difference in rib hight . VH 177061 had a much lower rib hight than VHE 179466. It is pretty easy to see in the pictures and was at least 2 mm. Normal, I guess?

Harold, that second gun wouldn't have a flat rib, would it?

Do you mean the higher rib gun as the flat rib? I'm not sure I know what a flat rib is. I'll have to pull out my other 3 Parkers and look at them.
Is there a thread that discusses the flat rib?

That would be my guess.

A flat rib is flat. A standard rib is concave. Most flat rib Parkers are a bit on the high side.

Put a straight edge across the rib to check if you can't tell the difference.

http://www.gunsinternational.com/DHE...n_id=100429900

Here is a link to a DHE with a flat rib, you would notice the difference right away if it had a flat rib. They are kind of neat though.

I checked out the rib and it is not a flat rib. So I got out the VH 16, GH16,DHE 16 and the other VH 20. and measured the rib height directly above the hinge pin and the rib on the VHE 20 measures only 1mm higher than on the other guns. It sure looks like a lot more when I put the other guns beside it
Guess I have a good eye for detail( old optometrist joke).

Harold;
It sure looks like a raised flat rib to me. If you could take some pictures looking from the breech down the barrels and some looking directly down down on to the rib it might help clarify. I'll have my DHE 32" flat rib 20 with me at the Southern for you to see what one looks like.

I got to shoot the little 20 on Sunday and its cyl/cyl choking was not a problem. I shot with my buddy who is a Beretta OU guy and his 18 yr old son who surprizingly strongly prefers SXS's. He shoots his grandpa's Ithaca 12 Nitro Special very well and his CZ Bobwhite 20 SXS that he won at our RGS banquet. I gave him the Parker 20 to shoot and a box of 3/4 oz loads and he rarely missed. At the end of the day, he didnt want to give the Parker back--said it would make a great high school graduation present--I love the kid but told him he could hunt with it anytime he wants. He thinks the old guns I shoot are cool and he also was shooting my Ithaca Grade 3 12 damascus and Lefever G 16 quite well. Have to keep him from going over to the dark (ou) side.

Chris, you have quite the eye for pigeon ribs. I let you know how neat it is in a few days. I believe it is an original, flat rib, "no safety" pigeon gun since the safety button is definitely a replacement. I am betting on a PA customer.

That gun ad on Guns International is one of those sort that always amaze me. Why? If you notice, it never mentions what gauge the gun is. I think about 20% of all shotgun ads are that way. They just assume everyone knows it is a 12 gauge. It's like the ads in the classifieds that offer engine parts of one sort or another and never tell you what engine they fit - they just assume everyone knows it is a small block Chevy.

But I've always wanted to ask the seller if they are even aware there are other gauges ..... it could be they just don't know.

Bill, I really like guns with the odd features like safety delete and flat ribs. I think your right about the safety, the top tang is round on top like it would be with out a safety. I would like to hear your thoughts about it when it comes in. If only it were 32"!!

Chris, when you posted the link, I had already pulled the plug. Yes, 32" would be a nice addition to that gun, but I'm sure it's a safety delete and ordered by someone whose name I will recognize. It will be a very nice addition to my pigeon gun collection. Unfortunately, there is a little work to be done, like filling in the safety slot, reengraving, finding DHE grade forend wood, and installing a nice Hawkins pad on the butt. I just can't resist an orphan gun that has been messed with. I have a room full of them. I am still amazed that you found that gun to post on the "flat rib" thread. Thanks, Chris.

Wait, collection?? We need to get together and compare notes.

A fully optioned "Parker Pigeon Gun" would be long barrels, safety delete, flat rib, no extension rib. DuBray ordered pigeon guns often included all but the flat rib. I haven't seen a gun with more than three of the four features, but I'm sure they are out there.

I picked up the DHE pigeon gun yesterday. As I had predicted, it is a "safety delete" with a safety installed aftermarket and a small "S" stamped ahead of the non Parker replacement safety slide. Returning the gun to "no safety" status will be a pretty simple job for an engraver. As you can tell by the gunsinternational ad, it is a flat rib gun with ball grip. I will run the bore gauge through it later. OK, here it is. The bores are a very uniform .740 with .042 choke in both barrels. The bores are probably cleaned up a bit to get that fat, but the PGCA letter may lay the blame on Parker Brothers. They should shoot just fine with 42 thousandths of choke. I can't wait to get this old soldier out to the range, or maybe the pigeon ring.

go for the piegon ring...charlie

That gun was a hell of a deal, if it were 32" I may have been waiting for the UPS truck at your door!