Trojan or DH?

[Stepmac]

Originally Posted by Mills Morrison

I will take a Trojan over most other non-Parker shotguns any day of the week. My first Parker and perhaps my favorite gun is a Parker Trojan. I think it was Pete Johnson who said a Trojan is to guns like the Model T Ford is to cars - an American classic.

How does the Trojan stack up to a Sterlingworth? I have one of those. Fox Fools adore their Foxes. Okay, some guys like blonds others redheads. Apparently all Trojans are 28 F and M with pistol grips and hard pad. I like the feel of the Trojan, the balance seems where I want it to be. My GH #2 is heavier that I like, but I've never weighed it. I like the "fine" work on it, nice pratical engraving, pretty fully figured wood. Checkering worn smooth especially on the forearm.

I'm going to give Trojans a good hard look, but if a fancier gun comes along, even if twice the price I may swing for it. I've got to see them first.

But I want to thank all of you guys who have offered up comments about the quality/charastics of various grades. Helped me understand Parkers better and I've got several of the standard reference books. The alphabet game that comes with Parker discussions can be confusing to a novice....even if accompanied with pictures.

[Mills]

Pretty is as pretty does. I bought a PH 12 earlier this year which has ugly repairs on the stock, but knocks clays like nobody's business. Now, it won't win any beauty contests.

[wayne goerres]

Thank you for your help. That H has had me puzzled for some time.

[edgarspencer]

Steve, I can't say for all gauges, but the 12 gauge Trojan was available with 28" and 30" barrels. Various choke combinations as well. I couldn't say with any authority, but there are 26" Trojans listed on a few sites too, but it's possible they may be shortened from a 28 or 30" barrel.

[B. Dudley]

The Trojan was created partly out of competition with the Fox Sterlingworth, as well as other field grade guns from manufacturers like LC Smith and Ithaca. Is most cases, the guns were half (or more than) the price of Parker's VH.

Parker was though, relatively unaccomodating on special orders for Trojans. They were not available with any options and selection of frame sizes, barrel lengths and dimensions were limited.

That is mainly where the Sterlingworth and the Trojan vary is that the Sterlingworth was available with more factory options. The Sterlingworth was always available with Ejectors.

The Fox is also a very good gun. The mechanism is a bit more simple than the Parker. Most would say that it is the only other American made Box Lock that compared to Parker by way of reliability and quality. I would wager to say that many of us Parker guys may own a Fox as well.

[ch]

I have a 16 Trojan was called IC Full when I bought it. Havent patterned it. Dave Sanders has a 16 Trojan for sell little rough don't know about price that is up to the buyer. I've met Dave he is a really nice fellow. I think he is on his own again.

[edgarspencer]

The Lefever people swore there was no such gun as a Nitro Special with ejectors, yet a friend has one, and it's not a made up gun, according to Brad B.
Anytime Trojans are discussed, the lack of ejectors comes up, but I know I recently saw a Trojan with ejectors come up for sale.
Never say Never

[B. Dudley]

Yes... Never say never. I do not think that Ejectors were ever formally an option on the Trojan, but who knows how much it would have taken to convince Parker to make one.

The Single Trigger was a very late option on the Trojan and not many were made (only 20 or so). One of those was recently up fro sale on GB. It was very interesting to see one.

Edgar,

I do recall discussion on the Nitro Special with ejectors that you mention. Even the single trigger on a Nitro Special is a rare option, but they are out there.

[Stepmac]

Originally Posted by edgarspencer

The Lefever people swore there was no such gun as a Nitro Special with ejectors, yet a friend has one, and it's not a made up gun, according to Brad B.
Anytime Trojans are discussed, the lack of ejectors comes up, but I know I recently saw a Trojan with ejectors come up for sale.
Never say Never

I do not like ejector guns because it is easier to pluck out the shell than to try to catch it when dropping the barrels.

My Sterlingworth and Lefever guns are F&M. I've got a flat of "spreaders" I'm going to try them at Skeet.

[J. A. EARLY]

Steve,

You mentioned there are few Parkers at guns shows in your area. And prices are everywhere. I would suggest looking here for Parkers for sale that are listed here first before they go on one of the auction sites. There are very nice guns for reasonable money offered for sale. Some real bargains. The descriptions are usually very detailed and include the critical wall thickness measurements, choke measurements, length of pull and drop. The guns from my experience are just as described and in my opinion these members are a source to be trusted. But you've got to be quick when they appear on the for sale section if you are interested in buying one of them.

While you ask about a Trojan as compared to the VH (or PH for that matter), I would always for the same or close money go with the higher grade gun. The metal work, metal hardware on the forearm, higher grade wood, dog's head buttplate, and finer checkering are certainly more appealing in my opinion. And usually lighter even in the same frame size. But there were less than half as many utility grade Trojan's made so one in good shape is a true find.