New member, old retired guy with older VH

[Tom Taylor]

Thanks for allowing me membership.
For several years I wanted a old nice American SxS.
Recently picked up a 12 gauge VH with 28 inch barrels.
Using you info its a frame size 2 with vulcan steel.
If I read the barrel weight correctly it has a large 4 and little 2 if that makes sense.
Cannot wait to hunt with a nice old gun.
Your site puts it at 1924 and the blue book has it at 1922.
Not much case color left but seems tight and all original except for recoil pad.
I have yet to determine how to verify how it is choked if anyone can advise.
V/R
Tom

[Dean Romig]

Hi Tom and welcome!

The best way to determine the choke is to measure the amount of constriction in thousandths with the use of a bore & choke micrometer. If you don't have one maybe a gunshop or PGCA member near you has one and can measure the chokes for you.

I live in Eastern Massachusetts, where are you?

Dean

[Tom Taylor]

Dean, Thanks for the info and offer to help
I live in Virginia yet tonight it feels like Siberia
I did not know if any markings on the gun involved the choke.

[Dean Romig]

Tom, while you were typing your reply I was talking with a PGCA Member in Virginia Beach and he confirms your description of the weather there. It is about the same here tonight.
Unfortunately there are no markings on the barrels indicating chokes on a Parker of that era. Hopefully some Member in your area who reads this thread will offer to measure your chokes for you.

[Old and Reliable]

Happy Holidays- and congratulations on your VH 12 circa 1922-24. You can check the serial number section of the PGCA Forum, enter your Parker's serial number and determine if factory records exist for your gun.

4 and then 2- the pre-striking weight of the barrels before assembly- the No. 2 frame 12 Parkers, at least in the Trojan through GH(E) series with 28" to 30" barrels will usually run from about 4 to 4-2.. Parker, like Smith, never marked the gauges or the chokes on either the frame or barrels- Your gun may also have WK or K or JG- barrel makers inspection initials stamped on the flats and the proof marks-

The Winchester M21 and the Ithacas (both Flues and NID I am told) had choke markings- the most common were from WS-1 through Full for the M21- on the barrel flats- I believe Ithaca used a numerical system- O for cylinder through 4 for Full.

IMO-the best way to determine chokes is to pattern test the gun with a variety of loads- all barrels in 12 gauge with Full may NOT pattern the same-case in point- I have a PH 12 with 30" F&F barrels- and my Galazan choke gauge reflects that reading- BUT- the right barrel is a bit more open and patterns to a higher POI/POA with the same AA No. 8 1&1/8 oz loads.

I had Jon Hosford of Ann Arbor, Michigan check this gun for me- original 2 & 5/8" chambers- never altered- original chokes- also never altered. I use the pattern sheets at our gun club range, but also mount and shoot at rusty abandoned sheet metal farm machinery parts on the various area farms- the pellets (lead anyway) will leave a grey-ish imprint against the rusted metal- I pick a aim point, mount swing and shoot- so my patterning reflects how I will actually be using the gun- it works well for me, may not for you.

Jent P. Mitchell III lives in VA- Jerry Andrews in West VA- both post here on the PGCA site and also on the LC Smith site- perhaps a contact with either of these gentlemen will lead you to someone who can check over your new (to you) VH 12- Welcome and enjoy- Parkers are indeed fine guns to own and use afield--

[Hammer Gun]

Tom, Where in VA are you I am in Floyd, 30miles southwest of Roanoke.

[Tom Taylor]

Originally Posted by Gary Carmichael Sr

Tom, Where in VA are you I am in Floyd, 30miles southwest of Roanoke.

I am in Winchester