VH 20 w/ 26" barrels
 

Got my Parker letter on my VH 20 #177061 this weekend. I guess in the old doubles world we are presumed guilty until proven innocent. I was recently told that the barrels most definately had been cut because there are not many 26" guns and the chokes measure out to be cyl/mod ( this was not on the forum here but someone who claimed knowledge and had the gun in hand.) Well, (drum roll please)- the letter says-26" cyl/mod. Yes this gun had been restored before I bought it in the "80's--reblued,recased,and refinished. Unfortunately, not a lot of other info was available on the gun(such as weight or other specs). I will try to post pics and scan the letter.
How about a new thread--who has 26" original or shorter, and what are they choked: here are mine:
DHE 16 O frame 26" cyl/mod
VH20 O frame 26" Cyl/mod (factory letters on both)

Nice little upland gun

The "expert" said cut because there were not many made? :) Even if that were true, why would that preclude yours? Here is a good example of why the letters are a good idea.

As is often said here never says never about Parkers.

I don't think that 26" is an uncommon length for a 20g. gun.

26 inches
 

All 3 of my 20 gauge guns are 26 inches original
DHE
VH
Trojan

It was my impression that shorter barrel were all the rage for upland hunters during many of the pre WWII years and were offered by all the American (and a couple British) makers, a standard option if thats not an oxymoron.

AH Fox even designated 26 inch barrels as a standard in a Sterlingworth model called the "brush gun"

The "expert" pointed out the finishing at the end of the rib at the muzzles, there is not as clear a line and space as on my other 2 Parkers. Hey, how about a picture of your OH Ostahaus setter -the new home for Old Hemlock setters is not far from me.

Harold, I just checked the order book again just to make sure I didn't miss anything. There is no info in the order book as to weight and stock configuration. The stock book that would have that info for that S/N is missing.

26" was also a common length with Skeet guns. The Lefever A grade Skeet was 26" and the Fox Sterlingworth Skeet/Upland Gun was 26" as well.

26" barrels are quite common on Parkers from .410 up to 12 ga. but scarce on 10 ga. and unheard of on 8 ga. guns

I also have a little Lefever DSE 20 with 26' barrels. They dont appear to be cut but I guess records dont exist to document Lefevers. I do have a Fox SW (Utica)with barrels cut to 261/2" that is quickly becoming a favorite.