32" 28 bore VH & DH - Page 2

Stan Hillis · 01-05-2020, 07:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Reggie Bishop

So questions about rare Parkers shouldn’t be asked? I am fortunate to own a couple of 30” 28 gauge guns, was looking at the data on them and thought surely some of the highly esteemed members here might have at some time ran across one of the 32” guns. Josh listed a 32” B grade I do believe on this site. Steve Barnett has a 32” A1S, so surely my question isn’t that shocking!

I'm glad you asked, not that I have ever seen one, but because of my interest in "long legged" smallbores. Being a dove shooter I can put them to good use, particularly in the late seasons, when the birds are mature and high flying. I find 32" doubleguns mesmerizing, and relish the thought of seeing a 32" in 28 ga., regardless the grade ........... indeed, even just learning more about them.

Best, SRH

Dean Romig · 01-05-2020, 07:30 AM

What ever happened with the two high grade .410 Parkers with 32” or 34” barrels that were ordered by two brothers on the West Coast? They must surely have passed away by now... does anyone know the whereabouts of these two very special Parkers?

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Randy Roberts · 01-05-2020, 08:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Reggie Bishop

So questions about rare Parkers shouldn’t be asked? I am fortunate to own a couple of 30” 28 gauge guns, was looking at the data on them and thought surely some of the highly esteemed members here might have at some time ran across one of the 32” guns. Josh listed a 32” B grade I do believe on this site. Steve Barnett has a 32” A1S, so surely my question isn’t that shocking!

Not at all IMO Reggie. Glad you brought it up. Very interesting for myself as I like those long barrels. Thanks!

Bill Murphy · 01-05-2020, 09:17 AM

I believe Shelly Gitman owned one of the long legged .410s, not sure.

C.O.B. · 01-05-2020, 11:19 AM

I have seen and handled a BHE 410 with 32 inch barrels. It's a truly wonderful gun and in the collection of a fine southern gentleman.

Kevin McCormack · 01-05-2020, 09:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Reggie Bishop

TPS says that 15 were made in VH configuration and that 14 DHs were made. Does anyone have any personal knowledge of a 32" VH or DH? Were they 0 framed or 00 framed? Earlier production or later? Pistol grip or straight? Any input would be appreciated!

DHE #156717, alluded to in 'Researcher's" post, was in fact a 32" barrel gun with pistol grip, SFE and original factory Silvers pad. A nice extra touch was that the cheeks of the stock were checkered. I examined this gun closely several times and after the event that Dave records it sighting, and came close to buying it when it was later offered for sale.

You would have to obtain a list of 28 ga. serial numbers and correlate them with the data recorded in TPS and SN Book to determine if they were straight, pistol, or half-pistol grip. Compounding this dilemma are missing books in these SN ranges.

Most of these guns (e.g., long-barreled smallbores) were built in the 1910-1915 window of the "California Duck Club Craze", a direct result of Hedderly's campaign to introduce smallbore doubles, especially Parkers, to his well-heeled duck shooting buddies as a viable alternative to the then-current "ho-hum" 12 gauges in use.

His revolution faltered and died within a few years, chiefly due to the abysmal lack of handloading components and supplies available for anything other than 12 gauge, and the considerable cost and very limited selection of anything in smaller gauges for waterfowl or any other type of hunting at that time.

Without my research data at hand, I would venture to say that the vast majority of these guns were probably built on the 0 frame, chiefly due to the added extra weight of the long 32" barrels in advantage of handling qualities as opposed to the extreme degree of barrel striking, tapering, and reduced barrel wall thickness that would be required of a 00-frame set of barrels scaled in dimensions compatible with the smaller size frame of the gun. Again, the only way to know would be to survey SN records and correlate with TPS and the SN book.