Parker VH 242242

[Sieg]

I originally posted some information on this gun in the New Members section and in another members thread, there has been some recent discussion so I felt it would be best to start it's own thread.

I have a Parker VH 12 ga that's been in the family since the early '70's. The Parker was a Christmas gift to my father who passed away in 2001. I've been the caretaker of the gun for about 30 years.

Overall the gun appears to be in decent condition. The wood is original though the rear 'wings' of the beavertail have a fracture line on one side and a repaired fracture line and shaped filler on the other side. Based on the beavertail design I'm guessing that is a somewhat common issue?

A previous owner installed a custom adjustable pad though I'm not certain if the length of pull was altered, LOP from trigger face to the end the stock, not the pad is 13-1/8".

The right barrel ejector appears to have an issue as the 'strikers' in forearm do not align evenly when cocked.

Here's a few pictures:

[Sieg]

This forum appears to have a lot of very knowledgeable Parker enthusiast and I would really like to learn more about this gun that's quite special to myself and appears to be a decent example of an unrestored Remington era gun.

Looking forward to your input and discussion.

[Dean Romig]

Scott, that LOP of 13 1/8" with a SST is just about right for an uncut stock. If it were a double trigger gun you could add just about an inch (or 7/8") making a LOP of about 14" which is a pretty standard LOP.

If you don't want the adjustable "pad" that's on there now it would probably be pretty easy to have the correct "Parker Ilion NY" dog's head butt plate installed - or if you plan to shoot trap with it you can have a 'period correct' recoil pad installed.. There are folks who can just about make those cracks in the BTFE disappear

[George M. Purtill Member #28]

Although Dean is the smartest guy I don't know, there is no such thing as a "Parker Ilion NY" dogs head butt plate but there is a period correct DHBP that only says Parker over the circle of the Dog's head. [God I hope I am wrong as I would give my right arm for such a cool thing.] Dean is correct that a period correct plate would be an easy fix.
Where are you? There are lots of skilled members on our forum.
Thanks for all the good pictures.

[Dean Romig]

I was thinking of the grip cap... my face is red.

[Mike Franzen]

xxx

[B. Dudley]

Here are some observations I notice on your gun. The LOP from the trigger to the wood on your stock sounds short, but you have a rear position single trigger. So... The LOP of the wood is about normal for a gun that would have a standard double trigger setup. So, depending on how the gun feels to you when shooting it, you may want to put a recoil pad back into it in order to get a good feel of LOP with the single trigger. More of a period correct pad would be just the ticket.

Another thing I notice is that your gun does not have the 1pc. Forend loop which would be standard fare to be used with a Beavertail forend. But... Your forend iron is correct for a Beavertail with the drawbolt.

I wonder if your gun was originally a splinter forend gun with double triggers and it was returned to the factory for the SST and BTFE. Some might argue that Remington would install the 1pc forend loop on the barrels of converting to a BTFE, but I personally doubt it.
There is also a slight stamping font difference between the Serial number on the water table and the number on the forend. But this is just a Suggestion that it could have been a repair addition. Not a tell tale sign.

There are some odd looking Stampings on the barrel flats of your gun, but they do not look like typical repair codes to me. And I doubt a gun as late as yours would have records saying if the SST and BTFE is original or not. Who knows at this time.

[Sieg]

Originally Posted by Dean Romig

Scott, that LOP of 13 1/8" with a SST is just about right for an uncut stock. If it were a double trigger gun you could add just about an inch (or 7/8") making a LOP of about 14" which is a pretty standard LOP.

If you don't want the adjustable "pad" that's on there now it would probably be pretty easy to have the correct "Parker Ilion NY" dog's head butt plate installed - or if you plan to shoot trap with it you can have a 'period correct' recoil pad installed.. There are folks who can just about make those cracks in the BTFE disappear

Thanks Dean, the LOP/cut stock issue has been haunting me for years. Having a correct butt plate sitting in the safe would be nice. Regarding the existing pad, I like it from a functional standpoint. LOP and sight picture is very good as it is.

I figured someone could improve on the BTFE repair, the resin used could have been mixed better. With linoleum flooring we would sand a piece of the material and mix the dust with white glue for seam/crack putty. One could make 'issues' virtually undetectable with that technique. I'd imagine wood repair is similar.

Originally Posted by George M. Purtill

Although Dean is the smartest guy I don't know, there is no such thing as a "Parker Ilion NY" dogs head butt plate but there is a period correct DHBP that only says Parker over the circle of the Dog's head. [God I hope I am wrong as I would give my right arm for such a cool thing.] Dean is correct that a period correct plate would be an easy fix.
Where are you? There are lots of skilled members on our forum.
Thanks for all the good pictures.

Dean's been a great source of information as have other members here!

I reside in Lane County, OR.

You're welcome for the pics, it's another of too many hobbies.

If there's more specific pics you'd like just hollar.

Originally Posted by Dean Romig

I was thinking of the grip cap... my face is red.

I hate it when that happens! LOL

[Researcher]

Another thing I notice is that your gun does not have the 1pc. Forend loop which would be standard fare to be used with a Beavertail forend.

Look again. Yes it does!!

Great example of a late Remington gun with some options.

[Sieg]

Originally Posted by Brian Dudley

Here are some observations I notice on your gun. The LOP from the trigger to the wood on your stock sounds short, but you have a rear position single trigger. So... The LOP of the wood is about normal for a gun that would have a standard double trigger setup. So, depending on how the gun feels to you when shooting it, you may want to put a recoil pad back into it in order to get a good feel of LOP with the single trigger. More of a period correct pad would be just the ticket.

Another thing I notice is that your gun does not have the 1pc. Forend loop which would be standard fare to be used with a Beavertail forend. But... Your forend iron is correct for a Beavertail with the drawbolt.

I wonder if your gun was originally a splinter forend gun with double triggers and it was returned to the factory for the SST and BTFE. Some might argue that Remington would install the 1pc forend loop on the barrels of converting to a BTFE, but I personally doubt it.
There is also a slight stamping font difference between the Serial number on the water table and the number on the forend. But this is just a Suggestion that it could have been a repair addition. Not a tell tale sign.

There are some odd looking Stampings on the barrel flats of your gun, but they do not look like typical repair codes to me. And I doubt a gun as late as yours would have records saying if the SST and BTFE is original or not. Who knows at this time.

Brian,

Thanks for the insight, all those details are what make this a very interesting puzzle to piece together.

What I do know is the individual that acquired the gun for my father was an avid competitive trap shooter and a good one at that. So the gun may well have come from the trap shooting scene which to me means it could well have been sent back for upgrades.

I just reached out to Roy Marcot who is a friend of a friend that I met on hunting trip back in 2006 when he was co-authoring the book Remington .22 Rimfire Rifles with my friend. Roy is an avid historian and current President of the Remington Society so maybe he can add a few pieces to the puzzle.