older new member

[Herb Hewlett]

Thanks for letting me join what is a very interesting organization.I have 2 parkers,one is a vh 20 ga. from 1910 other is a vhe 16 ga. from 1937 or 8.My questions are does a letter tell you chamber length?choke constriction? The 16 ga;did REMINGTON make any of these with chamber length other than 2 3/4? ser.#239xxx. I hunt the 20 and use rst shells. would like to hunt the 16 but want to get chamber length right.Have other PARKER questions but enough for right now. Thanks very much,Herb

[Bruce Day]

That year Rem Parker 16 should have 2 3/4" chambers. Earlier 16's would have had 2 9/16" . But, sometimes people lengthen the chambers and then there are all the issues of whether it makes any difference and whether 2 3/4" shells are in fact that length when fired, all of which are interesting issues to a person who is concerned about those details.

I personally shoot 2 3/4' labeled Rem, Win, Fed and RST shells in my 1921 16 ga and have for 30 years. RST makes fine low recoil and I am told, low chamber pressure cartridges that have reasonable shot loads and speed, so I think you could order either their 2 1/2 or 2 3/4" shells without concern. Or you could call Alex or Morris and ask, both are Parker guys and fine people.

You could get a research letter from the PGCA and its always nice to, but these late Rem Parker guns, there is not much descriptive matter in the records. The records are just from IBM punch cards from that period, unfortunately. It probably wouldn't tell you anything more than you already know. Your 1910 20ga, the records would show a lot more.

[Dean Romig]

There is also the possibility of a 16 ga. Parker having 2 5/8" chambers. I've had three of those but never owned one from the Remington era.

[Bruce Day]

The only real way to know the chamber length is to measure it, thereby replacing lots of should be's.

[Dean Romig]

Yup, that's what we should have told Herb in the first place... Sorry Herb.

[david ross]

Originally Posted by Herb Hewlett

Thanks for letting me join what is a very interesting organization.I have 2 parkers,one is a vh 20 ga. from 1910 other is a vhe 16 ga. from 1937 or 8.My questions are does a letter tell you chamber length?choke constriction? The 16 ga;did REMINGTON make any of these with chamber length other than 2 3/4? ser.#239xxx. I hunt the 20 and use rst shells. would like to hunt the 16 but want to get chamber length right.Have other PARKER questions but enough for right now. Thanks very much,Herb

Hi Herb.
Nice to see a new member. I to have a Remington vhe made in 1937 its a
12 bore with 2 3/4 chambers. Hope to see some picts of your guns soon.
All the best Dave.