Defining a Parker Long Range shotgun

[6pt-Sika]

Originally Posted by Dave Noreen

Does anyone actually have an unmolested Parker Bros. 12-gauge, gun chambered for 3-inch shells, from the period 1923 to 1933 that letters as such?

Back in 63 before I shipped out I ha........ wait that was a bad dream sorry

[Dean Romig]

Here’s one I immediately fell in love with when Tony advertised it on his website in 2002.
I was trying to round up some of the money when it disappeared…
Good thing though - I would probably have found myself single a lot sooner than now…


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[Cold Spring]

Originally Posted by Dave Noreen

Does anyone actually have an unmolested Parker Bros. 12-gauge, gun chambered for 3-inch shells, from the period 1923 to 1933 that letters as such?

Dave, not quite what you asked about but I recently found a 32" 12-gauge VHE, 194000's range shown as made in mid 1921, that has 2-7/8" chambers, bores at .749/750" and 6+" long full tapered chokes with constrictions at 48 and 50 points. That's with my Super-Fox chamber length gauge and Stan Baker bore mike, so the measurements are accurate. I know that 1921 date is a bit pre-intro of progressive powder factory shells but we know a lot of 3-inch experimentation was going on in that period by Askins, Sweeley, E I DuPont and others, and was being written up in the sporting mags. And in turn that influenced some people to Jump in and order guns for handloaded 3-inchers and anticipated factory machine made shells. It's an interesting gun with barrels that look to be unmolested, and I'll be doing more research on it along with patterning etc. Also looks to have been a ducker, no surprise there.

[Dean Romig]

Wow Frank, those are TIGHT chokes! Congratulations on finding that awesome "fowler."




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[LtCol Henderson Marriott]

Frank,
Nice VHE Parker. Appears that it might resemble the very nice 1924 VHE
waterfowl shotgun that graces the front cover of the Winter 2021 issue of Parker Pages.
You have managed to locate some excellent sources
for both Parkers and the occasional Fox.

[Bill Murphy]

The gun Frank describes probably predates the "Long Range" 3" gun seen in Parker literature. By the way, a letter or other documentation is not necessary to identify an original "Long Range" 3" gun. They were stamped on the left side barrel lug with the 3" marking along with the grade of the gun. To answer Dave's question, Albright's Gun Shop in Easton, Maryland sold a field used VHE 3" marked 30" #1 1/2 frame gun several years ago. It had/has typical Remington markings on the left side of the barrel lug. I could not get past the low condition and short stock so it went on to be sold to Mark Conrad. I believe Mark improved the condition a bit and may have sold it. I have not seen the gun for more than 15 years. It was a beavertail, single trigger gun.

[Researcher]

They were stamped on the left side barrel lug with the 3" marking along with the grade of the gun. To answer Dave's question, Albright's Gun Shop in Easton, Maryland sold a field used VHE 3" marked 30" #1 1/2 frame gun several years ago.

Those are all late Remington guns in the 241xxx range. VHE on 1 1/2 frame --

241231 02.JPG

CHE on a 2 frame --

241442 05.jpeg

CHE on a 1 1/2 frame --

241838 01 CHE-Grade, 12-gauge 3-inch, 32-inch vent rib barrels.jpg

I was asking about guns from Parker Bros. well before those late 3" marked Remington guns.

[Cold Spring]

Originally Posted by henderson Marriott

Frank,
Nice VHE Parker. Appears that it might resemble the very nice 1924 VHE
waterfowl shotgun that graces the front cover of the Winter 2021 issue of Parker Pages.
You have managed to locate some excellent sources
for both Parkers and the occasional Fox.

Ridge, actually it's the other way around. I've been a long time Fox nut (mainly) and thus it's been Foxes and the occasional Parker and Lefever, both of which I'd come to appreciate and look for good ones. The VHE 32" on the front cover of the Winter '21 PP edition is in very high condition and probably unfired since leaving Meriden. The VHE 32" referred to here is in lesser condition, having been used over the water.

Those following this thread may be interested in an upcoming article in the DGJ that elaborates on the 1919-22 experimentation with 12-gauge/3-inch progressive shells and "borings" for the Special Long Range waterfowl guns, in particular the Super-Fox and the somewhat underappreciated LC Smith Long Range. It’s likely to be in the Summer edition.

[Researcher]

Thanks Frank. It would be great if those Remington 3-inch guns I pictured above could pass through your hands at least long enough for some of your good measurements. Actually, when those Remington guns were made, we were into the age of the 12-gauge 3-inch Magnum 1 5/8-ounce loads

[Cold Spring]

Originally Posted by Dave Noreen

Thanks Frank. It would be great if those Remington 3-inch guns I pictured above could pass through your hands at least long enough for some of your good measurements.

Dave, I'd love to do that with my Super-Fox chamber length and taper gauges and with the bore mike. If anyone has one to bring to the Northeast SxS please let me know so I bring my tools. Truck is starting to get pretty full.