New Inmate - Lane County, OR
 

Hello everyone!

I found the forum in my quest to finally get serious about thoroughly identifying a Parker VH 12 ga that's been in the family since the early '70's. The Parker was a gift to my father who passed away in 2001. I've been the caretaker of the gun for about 30 years since I have a safe and reasonable firearms experience.

Overall the gun appears to be in decent overall condition and functions well. The wood is not too bad for a gun built in 1941 though the rear 'wings' of the beavertail have a fracture line on one side and a repaired fracture line and shaped filler on the other side. Based on the beavertail design I'm guessing that is a somewhat common issue?

Sadly a previous owner installed a custom adjustable pad on it back in the day. From a functional perspective it works well, retaining value.....not so much.

I'm looking forward to meeting a few of you and learning more about this nice piece of craftsmanship and Parker history.

I'll leave you with a few phone pictures of the gun.

http://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-5...5JxjqrQ-XL.jpg

http://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-R...RZmrv7B-XL.jpg

http://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-x...xvrf6NX-XL.jpg

http://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-X...Xr4gSZW-XL.jpg

http://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-5...5DM3smc-XL.jpg

http://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-8...8Hzp9Kz-XL.jpg

I panicked when I saw the rust/contamination but it cleaned up fine, not sure how that occurred!
http://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-g...gvq5L46-XL.jpg

http://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-N...Ng9BhGg-XL.jpg

http://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-z...zxp9wLg-XL.jpg

http://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-p...pxqCfVj-XL.jpg

http://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-B...B6M6rr3-XL.jpg

I know this is far from a pristine high grade collector gun which works just fine for me as I enjoy shooting it on 'special occasions' which adds to the value!

I'm very much looking forward to your observations, comments, and learning a little more history. Please don't hesitate to speak honestly on your opinions good or bad!

Thanks again,
Scott

Scott, I left a couple of comments on the other thread titled "Looking at VHE" that you posted pictures on.

The only thing I would do is replace the adjustable pad with a period correct Silvers pad.
That's a nice gun with a good bit of family history.

Thanks Dean,

Assuming both need to be in the locked position? I haven't touched a screw driver to the gun. Though I do have a proper gunsmithing set that I use on my other guns. How intricate is that ejector mechanism? Common problem? Broken or wear?

Thanks Rich,

I need to obtain a stock measurement from an unaltered gun as I'm thinking the stock was cut down slightly to accept the adjustable butt plate. Sad as the wood on this gun is pretty nice IMO. The stock measures 14-13/16" to the butt plate mounting surface now and length of pull is about 14-1/4".

I like the design, feel, and function of the existing pad but to the purist it's most definitely a technical foul. My suspicion based on who purchased the gun for my father is the gun came from an older trap shooter and he installed it in order to raise the comb and lower the point of aim.

Appreciate the input gentlemen!

The ejector mechanism in the Parker forend is intricate, complicated, and tempramental. It should be left to an experienced professional Parker gunsmith.

Try cocking the ejector with a wood dowel Most likely someone pulled the trigger and took the forend off without opening the gun

...........but I've stayed at a Holiday Inn Express before. :whistle:

Like this?

http://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-F...F3BKr3g-XL.jpg

http://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-R...RN2npxd-XL.jpg

Should they be uneven or uniform?

Me too... many times - but I've never messed with Parker ejectors. I know my limitations.

The ejectors now look fine and the forearm should fit on the gun. If you use a Silvers (or one of the reproductions) you will have a very useable LOP.