VHE 16nr RESTO

[Ruff Hunter]

So not long ago I was surfing GunBroker and lamenting the fact that I did not have a suitable, sub-12 gauge Parker ejector grouse, quail and early season pheasant gun. Month after month I kept noticing a 16 gauge VHE with 28" barrels for auction that certainly qualified as "in the rough". There were no takers at the opening bid price of about $1300. When enough time had passed to allow the seller to accept the fact that the gun was not worth his opening bid, I successfully negotiated a sale for a more realistic price. This VHE 16 had its share of issues to say the least, including a poorly pinned and loose butt stock, a chewed up forestock and a nice thick layer of hot bluing over the frame and forend irons.

The good news was the barrels, which retain over 90% of their original rust blue and show immaculate bores. Additionally, everything functioned properly, which is always a nice place from which to start.

The first two photos show this gun as I received it from the seller---viewer discretion is advised. The rest show it following the almost magical wood repairs and refinish by Mark Larson, along with the No Shok recoil pad I installed, and the bone charcoal case coloring that I did myself to replace the lovely hot blue "finish".

It is never going to be an original high condition Parker, nor look as good as one. But with a small investment and some dedication, I do now have that grouse and quail ejector gun that I've been hoping for, and just in time for the season. And there is always that deep down feeling of satisfaction I get from returning a classy old gun to a usable and presentable condition.