Parkers are like rabbits... they multiply
 

6 months ago, my shotgun collection lacked a Parker specimen. This VH arrived today and joins a 12 ga. G (hammer gun) and a 28 ga DHE Repro. I haven’t had a chance to track down all of the information for the VH yet — sounds like great winter entertainment when I’m not shooting some frozen sporting clays targets.

that gun is beautiful, I am in Kalkaska about an hour and a half south of mackinaw bridge, if your ever down this way, look me up. What area are you in?

Thanks! I’m in the UP in the Marquette area.

Brett,
I know the Marquette area quite well. I used to go to Big Bay every fall and play in the "cracked court" tennis tournament. I really enjoy that area, I bet you have some good grouse areas up there. Now that I have a bird dog, it seems like all I do when driving is scan the areas that I think would be good for grouse and woodcock:)

Beautiful guns congrats. I spend a few weeks each yr a little south of you.
Hey Ed you still playing tennis, I play several times a week.

Nice gun. I just got a 1 1/2 with 26" barrels. What is the barrel length? A bit heavy for all day grouse hunting but for mixed pheasant/grouse days I think it's the ticket. She's a beaut.

Harold,
I am going to play tennis this morning for the first time in months (covid issues) and after gaining 20 pounds:) Bring your racket with you when your coming north again, I am 30 minutes or so west of the main expressway 1-75 that you probably drive on going north. Brett, is your gun original, or has the stock been refinished? Just curious, I have had a fox and a parker with stocks nearly as nice as yours. 1 was refinished the other was not.

Brett I expect to see that VH on the clays course in Sagola this summer. Nice find congratulations.

When you get to a dozen, let us know and we'll hold an intervention.

I'm past an intervention I need an exorcism especially when it comes to straight grip small bores and single shot rifles::rotf::rotf:

Setting a upper limit on the number of guns in a collection can be an excellent restraint and a way to upgrade over time. If you get all pumped about a new gun it forces you to say what am I willing to let go to acquire this new heart throb. There is no such thing as " I'm completely satisficed with my collection and I don't want any more Parkers". Many of the sages of Parker collecting are gone but read Austin Hogan and Ed Muderlak's articles and books about collecting philosophy. Collect what you like but realize it will change over time. One point that Austin made in a DGJ article is make an effort to shoot every Parker you own regardless of stock dimensions. Austin felt that the recreational shooter could adapt to almost any stock dimensions and I believe he was correct.

Richard - great to see your name pop up in my feed. I hope you’re well! Look forward to breaking out the “original” P-guns when you’re back in zip code 906 (aka God’s country)!

Barrels are 30”. They appear to be unmolested.

Thanks, Ed. From the records I have, the Fox is a Turnbull restoration. I have family in the Gaylord and Traverse City areas. Always looking for any excuse to shoot some targets on the “south side of the bridge “.

I’ve shot at more than a few targets that have caused my head to spin and green stuff to come out the pie hole.

Congrats on the VHE. It’s a beauty.

Brett God willing and the creek don't rise I'll see you in the spring.