VH Frame size

[robertperly]

Hi all: I am in the process of buying a nice high condition VH, 30 in. 12ga. Gun with a #1 frame.

Any comments on the relative rarity of the 12ga. #1 frame gun compared to the 1-1/2 or the #2 frame ?

In general, assuming condition to be equal which of the three is considered to be the most valuable?

Any comments appreciated. PS -- The gun weighs 6.63#
Perly88

[6pt-Sika]

Dunno about rarity but the first Parker we ever bought was a 12 gauge VHE on a #1 frame that's F&F . Still have it as a matter of fact !

I did have to send this gun to Giacamo's to have the forend lug resoldered a couple years ago . Not sure how long it was cracked , but it isn't now .

I shot the heck out of that gun when I was in my teens and early twenties .

[William Davis]

I have 12 G Parkers in 1, 1 1/2 and 2. Weight of the gun increases slightly as they go up in frame size. Makes a difference in how they handle, no difference in what I paid or could sell for.

More experienced correct me if I am wrong but Parker did not specify frame size when they took orders. Buyer specified gauge barrel length and weight Parker used the frame that finished as ordered.

That's a very light Parker 30 inch 12 G someone may pay more for it others may think it too light

William

[B. Dudley]

1 frame 12s were made in less numbers than the larger frame sizes. And one with 30" barrels were likely pretty uncommon as well. There is no way to know the actual numbers though. If it has the condition to go along with it, then it would be a good one to buy.

[Double Lab]

I am the current caretaker of a VH16, on a 1 frame with 30" tubes and a GH 1 frame damascus 12 with 30" barrels and they both tip the scales at 6lb8oz. When stoked with 3/4oz. loads they both are very effective and pleasant to shoot. Both are choked M/F.

[William Davis]

My GH 30 inch 1 frame 12 GH weighs right at 7 lbs. it's nicely restored , stock finish nothing else. bought it from a individual. Like Daryl I use 3/4 oz loads in it. It handles 7/8 oz fine just 3/4 is more pleasant . VH 30 inch 2 frame just under 8 lbs, I bought from a dealer all original finish and cost me about 25 % more than the GH. That's why I say frame size has little to do with price. Condition and originally is the thing.

While the 7 lb gun is nice to carry the 8 lb gun is the better shooter. Buyers looking for light guns would favor one high volume shooter the other.

William

[Daniel G Rainey]

My idea on frame and weight. A gun that weights 7 1/2 to 8 swings better than any gun that weights 6 or 6 1/2. A lot skeet shooters shoot guns that weight 8 to 9 pounds. Once you get it swinging it is hard to stop. Shooting doves or duck hunting a 7 to 8 pounds is fine with me because you are not walking. But, when walking after Pheasants or sharptails I prefer something I can carry all day. Nothing over a 1 1/2 frame 12 at at 7 pounds or a 1 frame 16 at 6 1/2 or a 16 o frame or 20 ga. around 6. Dan

[charlie cleveland]

daniel it i agree with you totally....but for some reason i still drag them old big frame heavy guns around...charlie

[King Cobb]

My 1 frame 12 weighs 6lbs 6 Oz and that is the finest handling gun I have ever shot. It doesn't even feel like I am swinging a gun so much as pointing my arm. It's a Damascus DH with 28" barrels and I love it.

My VH is a 1 1/2 and weighs just over 7.5 lbs I believe with 32" barrels. Love to shoot it, but those barrels don't quite swing as well.

My 12 gauge Trojan is 2 frame with 28" barrels and it weighs around 8.5 and while it definitely feels heavier, it swings really well.

Your mileage may vary but that is my experience.

[6pt-Sika]

I think the weight thing is all relative to the person .

At the moment I have a trio of 12 gauge Parkers . The previousely mentioned VHE #1 with 30" pipes , a VH #2 also with 30" and a GH #1 with 28" . I do relatively well with the VHE and the GH but generally if we're at the club shooting Jap Wobble Trap I will wear most anybody out with the VH #2 and that's the heavier gun . I can usually do just as well with my EH #2 10 gauge or my old W&C Scott 10 gauge and they both weigh more then my VH #2 12 gauge . But then I shot skeet for many many years with a 9 1/2 pound tube gun . I might add at that time my trap gun was my skeet gun with a different barrel and of course I used a monte carlo stocked K-32 at that time .

When I was younger and bird hunted a good bit I used a Citori 16 gauge Upland Special , a WW Greener grade 40 12 gauge with 27" and a Westley Richards 12 gauge BL with 26" pipes .

Now back then and actually I still feel if a person shoots quite a bit and the gun comes anywhere close to fitting the person or they can readily conform to it they can usually shoot it well .

All that stuff about you need this for skeet or that for trap and something different yet for live birds etc etc etc . Clay birds anywhere or feathered birds of any kind are ALL targets period , you see the thing you shoot and you break/kill the thing pure and simple

If your hand to eye coordination is good and you actually "see it in focus" whatever it is it ain't as hard as some folks make it !