Beavertail forearms on Parkers

Jim Beltz · 02-28-2019, 02:05 PM

I have a Parker VH 20 gauge on an O frame, manufacture date around 1925. I bought it from my girlfriend's brother in law who inherited from his dad who bought it new. I saw on one of the gun auction sites a guy has almost the same shotgun for sale. In his descripition he states that the beavertail forearm is very rare and further mentions that only 163 Parkers were ever made with this forearm in all gauges and less than 1/5 or about 33were on the 20 gauge. Does anyone know if there is any truth to this? Any information will be greatly appreciated! Thank You!

C.O.B. · 02-28-2019, 02:43 PM

I don't know where your girlfriends brother in law got his info but he's he's way off base. I have probably half a dozen guns with the BTF and have sold or traded that many more. The big question is your forearm original to the gun? There should be a rod running the length of the forearm, and the recoil lug is different. Post some pictures of the front end of the forearm and the lug where it attaches to the barrels.

King Cobb · 02-28-2019, 02:54 PM

Rich, its the guy selling the gun online claiming they were rare not his gf's BIL.

C.O.B. · 02-28-2019, 02:59 PM

Either way it's a bunch of BS. Jim if your gun has the BTF post the pictures I spoke of and we can tell you if it's original or not.

Randy Roberts · 02-28-2019, 03:00 PM

TPS states there were 163 VH grades with the beaver tail, not all Parkers or all grades combined so that appears to be where that figure came from.

C.O.B. · 02-28-2019, 03:04 PM

Randy even that sounds low to me as the majority of the skeet guns were VHE's, all had the BTF and I would think they made way more than 163 skeet guns in 20ga

Randy Roberts · 02-28-2019, 03:10 PM

I agree Rich but that's what TPS says.

Mills · 02-28-2019, 03:29 PM

Beaver tails are less common, but I won't wade further into exact numbers. Post some pictures and maybe some experts on here can tell if it is legitimate factory or not.

A 20 gauge Parker is a sweet thing any way you look at it

PML · 02-28-2019, 03:46 PM

A VH 20 from 1925 with a factory BT forend would be uncommon. Please post pictures.

PML

Jim Beltz · 02-28-2019, 04:17 PM

Trying to load some pictures.