1923 Trap Configured VHE (Pic Heavy)
 

Just picked up a 1923 12 ga VHE with BTFE and a 2" DAH, but without the vent rib or single trigger. The gun letters as is, with the exception of the recoil pad which appears early aftermarket without spur. The chambers are 2 1/2" and the chokes are 40 points each, over pristine .734 bores. The gun shows expected wear and tear but the trigger plate screws appear untouched. No repair codes visible on the barrel flats. I mention this only because I questioned the overbores as being inconsistent with factory standards at this time, while the 2 1/2" chambers are spot on according to TPS. Also, because of the high comb, I just wondered if somebody ordered special boring to enhance the full chokes for the trap game. Either that or they have been honed or back bored later on. The only other unusual thing is the checkering on the BTFE doesnt match any shown in TPS, or in earlier BTFE forum topics, and seems a little fancier than a straight VH pattern, but not as fancy as the higher grades. I copied the letter and attached a bunch of pics for your thoughts and/or comments. Seems to be all original except the pad. Interestingly enough, the serialization book shows only extras are barrels, which dont appear in the letter.
Thanks in advance.

I'd say it is just an earlier style checkering pattern before the trap forearm checkering patterns were formalized. Here is the listing from the 1922 Parker Bros. catalog which shows a DH-/DHE-Grade and the checkering pattern isn't what we later think of as the D pattern.

Attachment 133822

The Brothers P continued to use the same picture in their pocket catalogs for at least another eight years.

Good find Mike!
I'm not sure when Parker quit using over bore in their barrels, but they probably would have done so on special order even after that. Perhaps it was done on this gun to reduce pressure and recoil, being that it was basically considered a competition model.
Those are some very tight chokes though. Like maybe 445 #8 pellets in a 30" circle at 40 yards. Lol

That’s a 1923 Parker…





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A 1923 gun may have been made without a spur. I don't own one Parker 12ga that the bores measure .729, they are all a few thousands oversized.

Craig, my experience is similar. I have had many 12 gauge Parkers that seem otherwise unmolested that have bores over .729.

Thanks for all the comments. I looked back through some saved articles and found this from Austin in the archives. I was familiar with the .750 overbore in the 1880's, but had forgotten there was a tendency to bore .730-.735 in the later years. Since there is no evidence this gun ever went back to the factory, I will conclude that the pristine .734 bores are original and just evidence of a well maintained gun. I think I am going to have to float the bird with that 2" drop.

Here is the article.

Nice gun! The forend checkering is very different. For any grade. It makes the gun all the more unique.

What is “W93/W97” ??

I wish I could ask Austin…





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Not having reviewed the entire text and background information, I would guess the W93/W97 is the advent of cutting fixtures that eliminate the need for emery for cleaning up pitted or rusted barrel bores and for enlarging bores to increase the choke constriction.

I have found the same with Parker 20ga bores. Most are a few thousands over .615 up to .620. And most/ many 0 frame 20's have a min under .030, most seem to be .022 to .025. It would be hard to find one with .030 wall.

I’m curious as to why a 1923 gun would have 2 1/2” chambers? Maybe to bump pressure/velocity for trap competitions?

I thought so too, having always heard the 12 bores were chambered 2 5/8 for 2 3/4 shells. When I looked at TPS, however, the factory chart from 1920 clearly shows 2 1/2" chambering as standard for the 12 ga. See Vol. 2, p. 519, Fig. 12-18. I measured them with both a fixed diameter Walker gauge, and my inside dial caliper. Definitely 2 1/2 inches.

That would be 2 1/2" chambers for 2 5/8" shells, the most popular shell of that era.

The "standard" 12-gauge field loads with 1- or 1 1/8-ounce of shot came in the 2 5/8-inch shell, but from 1907 onwards our ammunition manufacturers only put the 1 1/4-ounce loads in 2 3/4-inch or longer shells and "trap loads" whether 1 1/8- or 1 1/4-ounce came in 2 3/4-inch shells.

That said, the 12-gauge Parker Bros. hang-tags I've managed to save pictures of are very confusing, several showing targeting with 1 1/4-ounce and saying "Use Shells 2 5/8" --

Attachment 133867

Others do show 2 3/4-inch shells --

Attachment 133869

or targeting with 1 1/8-ounce and "Use Shells 2 5/8" --

Attachment 133870

Attachment 133868

And that information begs the question “why would a ‘competition’ gun of 1923 have 2 1/2” chambers?”





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VHE
 

This is one of those Parkers that has tons of character. It saw lots of action and served its owners well. And the unique checkering pattern makes it even more interesting.

Here are some pages from a January 1, 1925, Remington ammunition Price List with the 12-gauge 2 3/4-inch loads annotated.

Attachment 133872

Attachment 133873

Attachment 133874

Attachment 133875

Before 1907, Union Metallic Cartridge Co. offered a Load No. 5 or X5 that was 2 3/4-dram and 1 1/4-ounce of shot in a 2 5/8-inch shell which was dropped by 1907, and Load No. 8 or X8 came in a 2 5/8-inch case. Remington Arms Co. used Load No. 8 to target their doubles --

Attachment 133878

Attachment 133876

Attachment 133877

Beginning in the July 1907 UMC Price Lists Load No. 8 and X8 were in a 2 3/4-inch case.

[QUOTE=Dean Romig;430708]And that information begs the question “why would a ‘competition’ gun of 1923 have 2 1/2” chambers?”

I'm not so sure it's a competition gun.

Apparently not…





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