1923 Trap Configured VHE (Pic Heavy)

[Mike Poindexter]

Just picked up a 1923 12 ga VHE with BTFE and a 2" DAH, but without the vent rib or single trigger. The gun letters as is, with the exception of the recoil pad which appears early aftermarket without spur. The chambers are 2 1/2" and the chokes are 40 points each, over pristine .734 bores. The gun shows expected wear and tear but the trigger plate screws appear untouched. No repair codes visible on the barrel flats. I mention this only because I questioned the overbores as being inconsistent with factory standards at this time, while the 2 1/2" chambers are spot on according to TPS. Also, because of the high comb, I just wondered if somebody ordered special boring to enhance the full chokes for the trap game. Either that or they have been honed or back bored later on. The only other unusual thing is the checkering on the BTFE doesnt match any shown in TPS, or in earlier BTFE forum topics, and seems a little fancier than a straight VH pattern, but not as fancy as the higher grades. I copied the letter and attached a bunch of pics for your thoughts and/or comments. Seems to be all original except the pad. Interestingly enough, the serialization book shows only extras are barrels, which dont appear in the letter.
Thanks in advance.

[Researcher]

I'd say it is just an earlier style checkering pattern before the trap forearm checkering patterns were formalized. Here is the listing from the 1922 Parker Bros. catalog which shows a DH-/DHE-Grade and the checkering pattern isn't what we later think of as the D pattern.

Trap Model Fore-ends 1922 catalog.jpeg

The Brothers P continued to use the same picture in their pocket catalogs for at least another eight years.

[David Noble]

Good find Mike!
I'm not sure when Parker quit using over bore in their barrels, but they probably would have done so on special order even after that. Perhaps it was done on this gun to reduce pressure and recoil, being that it was basically considered a competition model.
Those are some very tight chokes though. Like maybe 445 #8 pellets in a 30" circle at 40 yards. Lol

[Dean Romig]

That’s a 1923 Parker…





.

[Craig Larter]

A 1923 gun may have been made without a spur. I don't own one Parker 12ga that the bores measure .729, they are all a few thousands oversized.

[Bill Murphy]

Craig, my experience is similar. I have had many 12 gauge Parkers that seem otherwise unmolested that have bores over .729.

[Mike Poindexter]

Thanks for all the comments. I looked back through some saved articles and found this from Austin in the archives. I was familiar with the .750 overbore in the 1880's, but had forgotten there was a tendency to bore .730-.735 in the later years. Since there is no evidence this gun ever went back to the factory, I will conclude that the pristine .734 bores are original and just evidence of a well maintained gun. I think I am going to have to float the bird with that 2" drop.

[Mike Poindexter]

Here is the article.

[B. Dudley]

Nice gun! The forend checkering is very different. For any grade. It makes the gun all the more unique.

[Dean Romig]

What is “W93/W97” ??

I wish I could ask Austin…





.