Parker 16GA VH Opinion

[Bill Kekatos]

Hello Forum. I recently won a Parker Bros S#179808 at an auction. I do not have the gun in my hands yet. I should receive it this coming week. This is my first 16GA Parker. It is a V grade non ejector hammerless with a capped pistol grip 16 gauge with 30 inch barrels built in 1918 per the Parker Gun I.D. and Serialization book. I do not know if it is a 0 or 1 frame yet. However, I do know that the barrels are still 30", so they are not cut. Below are 3 pics of the gun from the auction site. I will post more pics once I have it in my possession. I am hoping to use it for hunting and sporting clays. Question: Are V grade 16 gauge desirable guns? BillK

[Dean Romig]

You're a lucky guy! That's a very nice VH with lots of original condition. The gun, with those 30" barrels is more likely to be on the 1-frame. That gun will be very good for anything you choose to use it for.

Congratulations!






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[OH Osthaus]

not much you can't do with one

I have likely carried my VH 16 for grouse and woodcock more than any other gun

[wayne goerres]

ALL Parkers are desirable to some of us.

[Jeff Christie]

Really a nice one.

[John Taddeo]

Any thoughts on what made the dark line on the center of the floor plate consistent with original case colors found on parkers ??

[Eric Estes]

IMO it is as much art as science. There are so many variables. Assembled or disassembled, the packing, the temp and duration of the soak, the quench and orientation when it hits the quench. I thought I had read that the floor plate line has to do with cooling rates of thicker vs. thinner metal in the quench along with all the other variables that make up Parker's process, but I could be wrong. All I know for sure is that not too many people can consistently and correctly reproduce this particular tell tale of original Parker colors today.

Oh, and it is a beautiful gun. Congratulations!

[B. Dudley]

The stripe lines up with the thin milled slot in the trugger plate for the unhooking slide.

[Steve Havener]

Nice gun Bill. I have one just like it and find it a pleasure to shoot. If un molested your gun should be choked full and modified or full and full and will shoot pretty tight patterns with modern ammunition so you may want to get some spreader loads for clay bird and hunting when conditions require close shots.

[Craig Larter]

That is a beautiful Parker just the way i love to find them. Good for you enjoy! The V's always seem to have a more distinct trigger plate cc stripe than the highly engraved guns. Is that true?