She's gonna blow

[Boxbirder]

I was chatting with a fellow pigeon shooter the other day who at one time shot a Parker VH for many years. That baby ate a steady diet of pigeon loads for some time, so why all the talk about pressure in the Parkers??? That particular Parker might be one of the biggest winning purse Parkers in there history. That gun needs to be in the Pages.

[Harry Collins]

Mark,

I was told as a child that what sets Parkers apart from other shotguns is that you could shoot a case (500) of shells a day through one. The only reasons I prefer low pressure and recoil is out of deference to old wood, metal and my shoulder. I had a bad dream last night that I had been given Uncle Bills 28 gauge DHE and discovered the stock was hanging on by a thread at the wrist.

Can get away with measuring the stock of your friends Parker and getting some pictures?

Harry

[ch]

Hummmm, getting a 28 DHE with a broke wrist don't know if that would qualify as a bad dream. There's always Donnie. best to ya Harry ch

[Harry Collins]

Calvin,

My little tail is wagging in wait of Donnie's work! He is replacing the stock on the VH that Sherman Bell broke while giving the barrels a "pressure test". Brad Bachelder fitted a set of 30" Damascus barrels from Uncle Bill. A little tight at .022 & .040, but don't think that will be a problem. I was told that the 28 would be mine when found. One of the grandkids has it.

Harry

[Big Friend Ten (BFT)]

Boxbirder,

How much pressure can a Parker safely handle?
How much pressure can a Parker reliably handle?

Those are not necessarily the same question.

Considerations toward either question are:

Is the gun in "as new" mechanical condition?
Is the action on face (tight)?
Are the barrels pitted?
Has any former pitting been reamed out of the barrels?
What is the barrel wall thickness measured at every inch from the breach? See link to Parker Fact: http://parkerguns.org/pages/faq/BarrelThickness.htm
What frame size is the subject Parker?
Are the barrels fluid steel, laminated steel, twist, or Damascus?

In determining if a 100 year old gun is safe to shoot at what pressure, i.e. for 12 gauge a 6000 PSI low pressure load or 11,500 PSI SAAMI Max pressure (reference ANSI/SAAMI Z299.2-1992), all of the above and probably factors more need to be considered. That is why the PGCA doesn't boast about how much pressure a Parker can handle. An "as new" Parker on a larger frame with overall thick barrels might be able to shoot modern loads. A similar Parker on a #1 frame with laminated steel barrels, that may have been reamed, might injure the shooter with modern high pressure loads. This is why the PGCA recommends having one's Parker examined by an experienced double-gunsmith.

Mark

[Bill Murphy]

Is my PH safe to shoot with modern loads? It has Vulcan Steel, is ten gauge, and wall thickness is .100 from the muzzles back until it starts to get thick about a foot from the breech. The chambers are about 3 1/2" long. I have only shot it with 12 gauge chambermates, but recently bought a few boxes of 2 1/4 ounce copper plated Winchesters and Federals. I can't wait to shoot some patterns. I apologize for messing with you guys, but the wall thickness is for real.

[Big Friend Ten (BFT)]

BIll,

No! It is unsafe and you must send to to me before you hurt yourself!

Just kidding.

Mark

[Boxbirder]

You boys are missing my point, every where I read don't shoot modern loads. That VH has been through the mill and still a pigeon machine. The other part you missed is I would wager it's the highest stake Parker purse gun in there History and know want's more info on that gun or the man behind the helm.

[Big Friend Ten (BFT)]

Boxbirder,

No, I think we understood your first post. Please read mine again.

The PGCA as an organization cautions shooters to have their old Parkers examined by a qualified double-gunsmith. You as an experianced pigeon shooter may have a barrel wall thickness gauge and the skills and experiance to examine a Parker and pronounce it safe for modern high pressure ammunition. Another reader of this forum may not have the knowledge, skills, and equipment to do so. Out of concern for those other than you we err on the side of caution.

The subject VH may indeed be the king of all pigeon guns. Does it have a #3 frame?

Mark

[John Truitt]

Box,
Your point is well taken.

Please tell us about the gun. What configuration is it, barrel length, overall weight, chokes, etc.
A write up about this gun would be very cool for the Parker Pages. That is if the owner/ shooter will share his secrets.