VHE 16nr RESTO
 

So not long ago I was surfing GunBroker and lamenting the fact that I did not have a suitable, sub-12 gauge Parker ejector grouse, quail and early season pheasant gun. Month after month I kept noticing a 16 gauge VHE with 28" barrels for auction that certainly qualified as "in the rough". There were no takers at the opening bid price of about $1300. When enough time had passed to allow the seller to accept the fact that the gun was not worth his opening bid, I successfully negotiated a sale for a more realistic price. This VHE 16 had its share of issues to say the least, including a poorly pinned and loose butt stock, a chewed up forestock and a nice thick layer of hot bluing over the frame and forend irons.

The good news was the barrels, which retain over 90% of their original rust blue and show immaculate bores. Additionally, everything functioned properly, which is always a nice place from which to start.

The first two photos show this gun as I received it from the seller---viewer discretion is advised. The rest show it following the almost magical wood repairs and refinish by Mark Larson, along with the No Shok recoil pad I installed, and the bone charcoal case coloring that I did myself to replace the lovely hot blue "finish".

It is never going to be an original high condition Parker, nor look as good as one. But with a small investment and some dedication, I do now have that grouse and quail ejector gun that I've been hoping for, and just in time for the season. And there is always that deep down feeling of satisfaction I get from returning a classy old gun to a usable and presentable condition.

Looks great Justin!

if she shoots as good as she looks them quail better watch out...charlie

Fantastic job! Now go wear out those case colors! :cool:

Very nice. One thing that strikes me is that while I generally prefer lighter colored stocks, one like that with no flame or burl or fancy grain, at least that I can see, looks far better to me darker as it is now. It's very striking really. Very nice work.

Great Job Justin! Could you tell me how to do a case color job like that ? I have some I would like to try my hand at.Give me a PM if you can.
Thanks
Henry

Henry,
Although I am myself a hobbyist, color case hardening is an involved process that is generally ill suited to the vast majority of hobbyists. The investment in equipment is substantial--my custom built stainless steel crucible alone cost me over $300. And then you need a temperature controlled furnace or kiln, aerated quench tank, compressor, assortment of gunsmithing tools, solvents and boiling tanks, propane burners, buckets of wood and bone charcoal, protective clothing, etc.

For starters, I'd recommend Dr. Gaddy's article, which is linked below.

http://www.doublegunshop.com/doubleg...nal_v7i4_9.htm

Unfortunately, part 2 of his article is not on the internet to my knowledge, so you may need to find that back issue of DGJ to read it. If this is something that really interests you, I'd strongly suggest that you find a gunsmith in your area who does color case hardening and see if he will let you observe the process from start to finish. But whatever you do, never try to take short cuts with a torch and oil. That will not produce true case colors, no matter what anybody tells you, and may ruin the gun.

Nicely done. Congratulations.

...and now its a real shotgun again.

And it seems to work fairly well on wild pheasants and quail too...