I understand, I think, your possible confusion. Parker grade numbers for the Hammerless double guns, I believe initially ran from 1 through 8, the higher the number, the higher the Grade- I have two older PH guns with Twist barrels, they are both marked with 1 on the watertable, as well as the letter P- my GHE is a grade 2, so marked on the watertable- DH- grade 3, CH grade 4, BH grade 5, AH grade 6, AAH grade 7, and the scarce A-1 Special grade 8.
When Parker Bros. later brought out the VH grade, as there is no number smaller than 1, already in usage, that grade with be marked V- the Trojan was the last "new" grade Parker introduced- possibly to compete with the fine AH Fox Sterlingworth- as an economy model- no "extras available" but a solid field grade gun indeed. I have owned and hunted with two 12 gauge Trojans, both were marked OV on the watertable. The Trojan grade can always be distinguished as the frame contours are not sculpted as on the higher (VH-A1-S grades) and no ejectors were offered for the Trojan.
You can also "ballpark" the grade of the Parker you have in hand by the barrel steel: Vulcan, Special, Titanic, Acme, Peerless etc- BUT this is not 100% accurate, as over the years a DH(E) may turn up with Acme barrels, or a CH(E) with Titanic barrels, etc. Case in point- my GHE 12 has 28" Vulcan Steel barrels, usually found on the VH(E) grade.
The other gents are right- research and the TPS book(s) are the best place to start your quest for an "Olde Reliable". If you should end up with a Trojan, whether 12, 16 or 20 bore-you will have, along with the VH(E), the most popular model Parker offered- and as a collector friend advised me when I bought my first Parker (a Trojan 12 many years ago)- in a era of "upgraded and possible counfeited" Parkers (due to the great demand for them) no one can ever "upgrade" and pass off a Trojan as being a BH(E), due to the difference in the frame contours.
Any Parker Trojan or VH that fits you and has not been badly "butchered" (cut off buttstock, cut off barrels etc.) will perform just as well in your hands as a AAH(E) grade would- Good luck in your quest.
