Diminutive 16-bore

John Havard · 08-16-2012, 10:24 PM

After purchasing this little VH 16-bore 0-frame sight-unseen (besides photos on the internet) I almost chose to send it back. It was represented to me as being pristine. Obviously it has been redone as witnessed by any number of immediately apparent things once held in hand.

However, I decided to keep it for a couple of reasons. First of all, I love 16-bore shotguns. Also, I was very surprised by how tiny and light it is. On the digital scale it weighs 6#4oz with its 28" barrels. The LOP is more suitable for a pixie than a normal human being, 13 3/4". Dimensions are fine and it functions nicely.

The barrel flats are stamped 3#4oz which seems very light for a 16-bore shotgun with 28" tubes. However, I've checked wall thickness with my Hosford gauge and only found one spot where the minimum reached .025" just before the choke on the left tube. Both tubes are .663" and both are choked with a total restriction of .020".

The price I paid was on the high side of reasonable for a gun that has been redone, so I can't feel too badly about keeping it.

My question for the more experienced members of the board is this: how unusual is it to have a 16-bore, 0-frame with 28" tubes that weighs only 6#4oz?

Here are few pics:

B. Dudley · 08-16-2012, 10:32 PM

The 0 frame in 16g. is more rare than the 1 frame guns. And usually more sought after for that fact, and due to the nice light weight.

I see they decided to blue the side screws. Is the top lever done too? Can't tell from the pics. The bottom screws do not look like they are.

Hammer Gun · 08-16-2012, 10:36 PM

I bet it will be a fun gun to shoot! and light enough to carry all day. Gary

Mills · 08-16-2012, 10:40 PM

I would go shoot it a bunch and get the new blueing worn off. It ought to be a great gun to shoot. Particularly for quail

AmarilloMike · 08-16-2012, 10:41 PM

I have a VH16 O frame with 28" barrels that weighs 5lbs 14oz. Has LOP of 13-5/8" to a HRBP.

I have VHE16 O frame with 26" barrels that weighs 5lbs 15oz. 14-3/16 to a HRBP

Fun fun guns. I have carried the VH16 28" hundreds of hours over West Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, and Montana.

John Havard · 08-16-2012, 10:43 PM

Mike, thank you for that comparison data. So 6#4oz isn't too out of the ordinary. Interesting.

Brian, the bottom screws are case colored, and the top lever is case colored too.

John

OLD GEEZER · 08-16-2012, 10:54 PM

John: I don't no how rare it is but it is pretty lose to my little quail gun. Thomas

Fishtail · 08-16-2012, 11:08 PM

The VH 16 0 frame I have - the gun no one wants - has 28" tubes at 3 lbs 1 ounce.

winplumber · 08-17-2012, 05:45 AM

I just checked mine and its marked 2 lbs 15 oz with 28" tubes

Dean Romig · 08-17-2012, 06:00 AM

0-Frame 16 ga Parker's weights are all over the map. It is generally accepted that the 0-Frame sixteen was produced as a lightweight alternative to the 1-Frame sixteen. There are however, some 0-Frame sixteens that outweigh some of the lighter 1-Frame sixteens. I have one 0-Frame sixteen with 26" barrels that weighs 7# 2oz.