VH serial # vs Rem code

[Ed Brackett]

I have a 12ga VH in the shop with a serial number of 88234 (1898) and a Remington code of Bf (May of 1937) on the monoblock of the barrels. Is there a way to tell if the barrels were replaced or if some other maintainance was done? By the way, the engraving on the reciever is somewhat upgraded from the standard plain engraving VH pictures I have seen.

[OH Osthaus]

Monoblock? have the barrels been sleeved?

there may have been additional after market work done.

could you post some clear pictures of the barrels and the engraving

[Bill Murphy]

I don't think you are looking at a Remington repair code. Remington repair codes would be two letters the same size and font and the number 2 or 3 following the letters.

[Ed Brackett]

OH, thanks to you and all for the quick replies.
No, the barrels have not been sleved and I will get pictures up in the next few days.

[Dean Romig]

We have seen the "Kf" stamp on the barrel flats but I don't recall ever seeing a "Bf" stamp there.

The Kf indicated that King pronounced the barrels (or gun) finishen or filalized or fin ..... done and passed inspection in other words

[Kevin McCormack]

Originally Posted by Dean Romig

We have seen the "Kf" stamp on the barrel flats but I don't recall ever seeing a "Bf" stamp there.

The Kf indicated that King pronounced the barrels (or gun) finishen or filalized or fin ..... done and passed inspection in other words

The derivation of this mark has been discussed at least a dozen times on this forum. Bob Runge told me he thought the 'f' stood for "fertig", the German word for "finished". This makes eminent sense when you consider that many employees in the barrel shop in the late 1890's were Germans, and had license to choose their own symbols or characters to signify completion of different stages of work and passage of the barrels to the next stage of gunbuilding. The 'W' is universally recognized as the mark of Walter King.

[Eldon Goddard]

Originally Posted by Dean Romig

We have seen the "Kf" stamp on the barrel flats but I don't recall ever seeing a "Bf" stamp there.

The Kf indicated that King pronounced the barrels (or gun) finishen or filalized or fin ..... done and passed inspection in other words

I have Kf stamped on my barrel and always wondered what it meant.

[Bill Murphy]

Ed, you say we may never know for sure. As time goes on, we will find a couple or a few more guns between the first VH and your gun. Then we will know. This is the first of this type we have seen, but will probably not be the last. What we have learned since we opened the records in 1997 and 1998 boggles the mind.

[Ed Brackett]

Bill, I'm glad the VH we have been discussing has contributed a little to the Parker story. The added mystery of this gun is one of the reasons I really enjoy being the researcher for our shop.

You and the other folks that chipped in with their knowledge has given me a great respect for the members of the PGCA on this forum.

Good luck filling in the VH story and thanks to all of you.

[OH Osthaus]

BTW - the book says 30 inch barrels originally