VHE- sounds like something is loose in action - normal?
 

So I have a new to me VHE. Gun is in really good what looks like original shape. Everything functions as it should, ejectors eject, gun fires, safety resets and works properly. Locks up tight with no looseness, lever is to the right of center. Hoewever- if I hold the gun and dip and raise the butt I hear what sounds like a small piece of metal sliding back and forth in the action. It does this if the gun is cocked, not cocked, or broken open. Its not as of there is a loose piece just rattling around in there- it something obviously in a fixed position sliding back and forth. Is this a problem? If it is what could it be? I have not tackled pulling the stock off and cleaning and lubing the action. I guess I should.

not normal, get it apart or to someone who knows how

I agree. Get it looked at.

I've had that noise before in a gun that was restocked. I sent it back and it came back noiseless but the restocker was wishy-washy as to what it was, so I don't know.

I cannot think of what it could be. The only thing that free floats is the auto safety reset rod. But it wouldn't move enough to make any noise like you describe.

Try removing the barrels ,tip those back and forth ...I've heard loose solder rolling back and forth between the ribs make that noise.

Yeah Chris, I have also heard that in barrels as well.

So- if the barrels are off it still makes the noise so its not the barrels. However- if when the barrels are off I slide the safety forward - it no longer makes the noise. So - I'm guessing it has something to do with the safety, which does function as it should.

I'll bet someone lost/was missing the auto safety return rod and put an undersized piece of rod in there. That should not hurt anything if that is what it is.

Yup. Auto safety rod is what it is. Or at least most likely based on your recent findings.
As jerry suggests, it may have been replaced with something that is not the right size.

Or it could just have a little more play than normal. Usually those rods are a little snug fitting in the hole. But that can so be made tight by dirt and such over the years.