New user from North Dakota
 

Hi all, checking in from the flat lands. ;) Still looking through some of the threads but wanted to say what a nice community here helping one another out! Here's my introductory spiel:

My initial research of the site information for serial number 240287 shows it was made post 1934 Remington period. It's barrels are 26", 3# 8oz, 12 gauge, and made from Vulcan steel. VH stamp tells me I have a hammerless Grade 0. The frame size is a bit confusing to me, but the firing pins are 1 1/8" apart. Please correct me if I'm wrong on any of the above, this is all new but very interesting to me!

I recently received this Parker shotgun from my uncle, my late dad's younger brother. It was passed to him from my grandfather, who received it as a gift from his father, my great grandfather. Great granddad even had it engraved "Bob from Dad." I am an avid upland bird hunter and my uncle wanted me to have it to use in the field.

I'm told that at some point my grandfather had at least the stock refinished, but I'm not sure about the barrels and rest of the bluing. Overall for it's age I'd consider it to be in excellent condition. Probably less so from a collector's standpoint, but I'm a pretty utilitarian kind of guy so I plan to at least do some trap and skeet shooting with it as my uncle used it, and maybe even drop some pheasants over my pointer.

This is where my main question comes in: the barrels are marked "Skeet In" and "Skeet out" which I assume means they are pretty open from a choke stand point. Can anyone clue me in what the "In" and "Out" are referring to though?

The only other question I would have would be on its approximate value. For me, this would be mainly for insurance purposes as I have all my firearms itemized with the insurance company in case of theft.

Thanks in advance!

Better pic of barrel markings
 

Didn't realize that pic was so blurry, but some of the markings are faint enough it's a tough focus for my phone's camera I guess!

Edit: pic not much better, sorry. :(

Congratulations on having a wonderful piece of your family history. I don't have my books to confirm it, but it looks like you have a VHE 12 guage in a factory Skeet set up. The frame size appears to be 1 1/2, on the lighter side for 12 gauge Parkers. The gun definitely appears to have some "refinishing" work done. The reciever should be case colored and the barrels should be rust blued. I can't tell from the photos if that is the case or not. Barring some really interesting history it's not especially valuable in the Parker relm of values but sounds like a priceless family piece. Those chokes should be great for harvesting all manner of fowl over pointing dogs. The "In" and "Out" skeet chokes were designed for shooting incoming and outgoing targets. Unlike most SxS set ups the right barrel is likely the tighter choke. As an addition bit of information, I suggest you contact Cole at Gun and Trophy Insurance for your firearm insurance needs. You'll find it exponentially more affordable than your homeowners policy and I know from experience that they are fantastic to deal with if the need for a claim should arise. Congratulations again.

From the limited views, it appears to have a checkered butt, and the beavertail fore end appears to be original. All that points to the likelihood it is a factory skeet gun. The altered finishes of both metal and wood are not appropriate, and will detract from the value. The rarity of actual Parker factory skeet guns justifies the cost to have these issues corrected to proper finish.

It looks like the gun has been completely hot blued. Which is not the correct means of bluing any old double gun. This likely compromised the solder joints for the ribs.

It is sad as the gun itself is very valuable, being a factory skeet gun. But most of that value has been hurt from the hot bluing. It would take a few thousand dollars possibly to correct all of that and put the gun back right again.

Of course all of that does not make the gun not shootable. Unless corrosive salts have rusted at the inside of the barrels.

Wonderful piece of family history. Too bad it was improperly refinished.

I can make myself believe I can see the Remington date code on the left barrel flat in your first barrel flat picture. Looks to me like it is KF K = May F = 1937 --

Attachment 128771

Here are the Parker Skeet Guns from the Price List dated May 17, 1937 --

Attachment 128772

Harry is off his meds again. Ryan, Damascus and twist barrels are safe to shoot. Have them checked by a SxS gunsmith to make sure they have not been honed out and are thin walled due to that. Same can happen to fluid steel barrels. We shoot Damascus and twist barreled guns a lot. You're much more likely to have stock damage on a vintage SxS than barrel damage.

Ryan,
Welcome to the community. I am from ND and feel compelled to dispel the fake news. Pattern welded barrels are in fact safe here in the Dakotas. Our weather does not affect the metallurgical properties like it does in Ohio. Have fun, ask questions, and enjoy your gun after carefully evaluating the safety aspects of your particular firearm.

Ryan,

Don't be thrown off by the discussion of twist or Damascus barrels. Your gun has steel barrels. Better pictures of the barrels may give a better clue as to whether the barrels were hot blued or rust blued. I think it is difficult to tell by your photos. If they were rust blued then there should be no worry about that aspect.