Guns that speak

[Brett Hoop]

I suppose it was the first Parker I ever held that had the most effect on me. And it was the second shotgun that my grandfather put in my hands. It happened to be a VH 20 ga with 28" barrels. It wasn't a "good one" according to my uncle. I didn't get that then and still don't. To me it was magical there was something about it, there about it's wrist, and the way it pointed and swung. And that sweet smell of the paper shells. Time passed and other double guns got the call, but in those days they had rifling and threw solids and softs and got carried lots of miles following tracks. When a great bird dog came into my life and I realized just how good he was I began to search for the perfect gun to highlight our time together that lead me back to the Parker Bros. The original VH 20 went to another, but thankfully 45 years latter I have found great satisfaction with a few Parkers with which to make memories.

[6pt-Sika]

Ah the confounded voices There’s the circa 1881 W&C Scott back action hammerless 10 gauge that was my maternal grandfathers from 1946 until he passed .Then there’s the 1928 VHE 20 gauge a friend owned since 1958 and he finally let me acquire four or five years ago ! Then there’s the circa 1891 Parker EH 10 with factory original 28” barrels I acquired almost a year ago thru an internet auction while I was in Manila . Actually this could go on and on