Parker w/Box

[Researcher]

According to the dating feature on our home page, 193435 would be a 1921 vintage gun. I'm surprised that the label states it was targeted with a load of 1 ounce of shot and 2 1/2 drams of smokeless powder. Remington had just introduced a 2 1/2 dram smokeless powder, 1 ounce, load that year for its new Model 17 pump gun. But, the Model 17 was chambered for 2 3/4 inch shells and Remington's 1 ounce 20-gauge load came in a 2 3/4 inch shell. There is no mention on the label that this gun is chambered for a shell longer then the then "standard" 2 1/2 inch 20-gauge shell. The "normal" heaviest 20-gauge loads in 1921 vintage North American ammunition catalogs were 2 1/4 drams of smokeless powder pushing 7/8 ounce of shot in the "standard" 2 1/2 inch shell and 2 1/2 drams of smokeless powder pushing that same 7/8 ounce of shot from the longer 2 3/4, 2 7/8 and 3-inch shells. The Western Cartridge Co. high velocity, progressive powder, load (Super-X) of 1 ounce of shot from their 2 3/4 inch FIELD 20-gauge shell came out in 1922.

[TxHuntermn]

I must also say this.....a “Vulvan” 20 might indeed be special!!!

[J. A. EARLY]

The gun has some strange dimensions for a 20: drop of stock 1 1/2 x 3, length of stock 13 3/4, so could it make sense that in addition to the special dimensions it was also requested that the gun be patterned with the newer one ounce of shot shells. That would make sense to me.

[Ed Blake]

So Turnbull is now restoring the boxes as well? Genius.

[Mike Poindexter]

Originally Posted by Dave Noreen

According to the dating feature on our home page, 193435 would be a 1921 vintage gun. I'm surprised that the label states it was targeted with a load of 1 ounce of shot and 2 1/2 drams of smokeless powder. Remington had just introduced a 2 1/2 dram smokeless powder, 1 ounce, load that year for its new Model 17 pump gun. But, the Model 17 was chambered for 2 3/4 inch shells and Remington's 1 ounce 20-gauge load came in a 2 3/4 inch shell. There is no mention on the label that this gun is chambered for a shell longer then the then "standard" 2 1/2 inch 20-gauge shell. The "normal" heaviest 20-gauge loads in 1921 vintage North American ammunition catalogs were 2 1/4 drams of smokeless powder pushing 7/8 ounce of shot in the "standard" 2 1/2 inch shell and 2 1/2 drams of smokeless powder pushing that same 7/8 ounce of shot from the longer 2 3/4, 2 7/8 and 3-inch shells. The Western Cartridge Co. high velocity, progressive powder, load (Super-X) of 1 ounce of shot from their 2 3/4 inch FIELD 20-gauge shell came out in 1922.

The shot size on the label appears obscured by a tear. I'm not sure what the shot tested would have been in 1921. According to a 1900 table of shot manufacturer's products, Tatham No. 7's go 291 to the ounce, while 8's go 399. According to current SAAMI specs, no. 7.5's go 350 while 8's go 410. Assuming Tatham 7's for the pattern test, 127/291=44% and 168/291=56%--a very useful IC and weak MOD. If 8's are assumed, we're looking at 32% and 42%--or CYL and IC. Still a useful pattern, albeit for close cover or pointing dogs. Wonder what the buyer had in mind? A letter would be interesting.

[Ed Blake]

Mike - my comment about the box was strictly a smartass remark and I do not doubt the authenticity of the gun, however, I have seen a number of Turnbull restorations that look awfully “original”. Caveat emptor as always.