what was the standard LOP for a 12 ga VH

BRDHNTR · 02-13-2013, 02:51 PM

What was the standard LOP for a Parker Bros 12 ga VH 28 " bbls? Was there a standard length their stocks were cut to with their standard black butt plate?

If a customer ordered a 12 ga Vh with a recoil pad, and didn't specify any particular length, what would Parker measure the stock out to without the recoil pad installed.

Bruce Day · 02-13-2013, 03:53 PM

Per Parker catalogs:

"drop about 2 3/4 inches, length about 14 inches"

There are also ranges of normal specifications published in pre 1930's catalogs.

Skilled Hands catalog:
" Stock dimensions, unless otherwise specified, 14 inches long, 2 1/2 inches drop at the heel, 1 5/8 inches drop at the comb."
p.21.

These answers are for V grade standard guns. Skeet and trap guns have different standard dimensions, as one would expect.

As to your second question, any padded butt was "made to order with stocks 13 1/2 to 14 1/2 inches........without extra charge." Because a padded butt was strictly made to order, a length with pad would have been specified. It would only be an assumption that a default total length would be 14". The wood length would be dependent upon the pad thickness, as you know, different pads had different thicknesses.

BRDHNTR · 02-13-2013, 05:07 PM

Pictures of this 12 ga VHE just purchased today. I want the stock and forearm striped and refinished and an appropriate rewcoil pad for the era installed. The screws have not been touched and are timed/regulated. This will be an honest shooter for me and something to leave for my grandsons. It is extremely tight to the face with absolutely no wiggle room what so ever.

BRDHNTR · 02-13-2013, 05:13 PM

additional photos. what does 1G2 markings mean? are these the chokes? The stock looks to have been cut short as the LOP is about 13 1/4 " and with a recoil pad would bring it up to 14 1/4 ". One owner only to our knowledge. I will request a Letter on this double so we'll see.

StubTwist · 02-13-2013, 05:26 PM

My guess, it looks like at one time a Jostam 2 Ply Sponge Pad was installed and the sponge separated / fell apart from the slice of rubber tacked to the stock.

StubTwist · 02-13-2013, 05:30 PM

Bruce beat me to the post. I didn't see Bruce's reply while I was typing away and trying to find a picture of my Jostam Pad....

By the way, nice VHE Allen.

BRDHNTR · 02-13-2013, 04:59 PM

Thanks Bruce
Here's the story. The gun is the Henry F. Tenney double that I mentioned in a prior thread. The gun arrived today and it's not a VH but actually a VHE!. All original and ser # 231162.
The LOP measures approx 13 1/4 " and it apparently had a recoil pad of some sort (Josten, Pachmayer or Silver perhaps) installed but all that remains on the butt end is a 1/4 inch red spacer. I'll post pictures. It is a 12 ga 28 inch double on a 1 1/2 frame. I can't tell from any of the markings on the water table or under the barrels what the chokes are but will have them measured anyway. I'm guessing they will be M/IC or F/M. we'll see. Pictures to follow on a new reply. Still figuring out how best to post pics on here. I made an offer of $900 on this and it's been accepted.

Bruce Day · 02-13-2013, 05:14 PM

Jostam Hy-Guns and Hawkins pads were very popular on guns made in the 1930's. Put one of those on and the LOP will be back to 14 or 14 1/4.

You asked what the 1 G 2 stamp on the back face of the barrel lump means. I have no idea.....that I have never seen before.

A remaining thin red spacer may evidence what is left of a Jostam sponge pad......they are seldom seen today . I believe the gun had this on it. They came in two and three layer variants:

BRDHNTR · 02-13-2013, 05:40 PM

Thanks Frank and Bruce. I feel like I've been living in the dark all these years and along comes the PGCA to show us Light! Great forum and really, really great gentlemen in the PGCA. We should host regional PGCA banquet or other events to give more members the opportunity to meet and greet. Just PGCA events. I worked for years on DU committees and would be happy to apply my obsessive (but not compulsive) organizational skills to work with others in making this happen.

Regarding this new found VHE, I think I'll ship it to Brad Bachelder and have Brad go through it entirely, strip and clean, refinish the stock, install a missing ivory bead on the mid rib (the muzzle end bead is fine) and install an appropriate recoil pad. I appreciate Brad has a 4-6 mos backlog but I expect to live that long!

BRDHNTR · 02-13-2013, 05:45 PM

Bruce and Frank
That would explain all the tacks that show on the butt end.