Early VH 20, 0 frame

[Scott Chapman]

I just acquired my first 20 gauge Parker. It is a VH grade, O frame with 28" barrels and a straight grip. Serial number 97948. The configuration matches the research letter and it was shipped in 1900 to the Iver Johnson Sporting Goods Co. in Boston MA. It was special ordered with 2 5/8" chambers and choked R modified and L close.

I have not had a chance to get it looked at by a gunsmith yet, but she appears to be in great shape with no dents in the barrels and locks up tight.

Unfortunately its previous caretaker had the receiver blued. The stock appears to have been refinished or replaced, as I feel that the checkering appears to be too nice compared to the rough shape of the forearm. The stock also has a very small crack at the tang.

The two larger screws on the base plate are more rounded and pronounced than on either of my Trojan guns. These seem to differ from pictures of other VH guns that I have seen.

Additionally, the engraving on the elongated trigger guard tang is not complete the entire length. Originally I thought maybe the gun started out as a pistol grip and the tang had been lengthened, but the research letter states that it came straight stocked from the factory. Also, the trigger guard tangs screws also do not fit flush.

I am considering getting the splinter forearm restored or replaced and perhaps adding or having a beaver tail forearm made to replace the current one. I intend on using this old gal in the field quite a bit and I prefer the feel of a beaver tail forearm, but I am not totally married to the idea just yet.

Please feel free to give your opinions or options for refinishing or removing the blueing from the receiver and any insight into the engraving loss and apparently (to my novice eye) unusual base plate screws. I am to understand that 1900 was only the second year of production of the VH grade so I don't know if those were the factory issued screws or not.