1930 Parker VHE

[John Farrell, Charter Member #33]

Attached a couple of photos of a recent acquisition. The gun was originally purchased in 1930, the stock was broken shortly after. The gun has been under beds, in closets and under couches for 82 years with the broken stock. The case colors are 100%, blue 100%, mechanicals 100%. Screws indexed and untouched except for the top screw under the lever. It looks like a screwdriver was in the slot at least once.

The gun appears to be unfired. There is no evidence of gun solvent or oil at the head of or on the interior wood of the stock which would indicate cleaning after firing. The ejectors throw hulls 15 feet into a 2' circle. It goes off to the stock maker today.

More photos follow. JF

[Double Play]

Great find John, what is the gauge and barrel length? Is there any chance the original stock could be repaired? If not I hope your stocker is really good as this gun deserve the best.

[John Farrell, Charter Member #33]

The gun is 12 gauge. The 28" barrels are choked F&F. I thought long and hard about whether to repair the stock or have a new one made. The broken stock will always be with the gun. The new stock will be what it is. I've had quite a learning experience talking to people that want the job of building a stock for the gun.

I was concerned about someone firing heavy loads in the gun after the repair, shattering the repaired stock and suffering facial or eye sight injuries. While I will be resting comfortably in my urn, if it happened and someone told me about it, I would feel bad. It's enough to take up residence in the urn without also having a guilty concience because someone forgot to tell the injured person about using only light loads.

[John Farrell, Charter Member #33]

Another photo

[Bindlestiff]

Wow, great pictures (and gun) John. Nice find!

I can't see the break but I would seriously consider a stock repair if all the pieces are there. A spline or biscuit can be put in under the trigger guard so it isn't visible and it would make it much stronger than original wood ever was.

[John Farrell, Charter Member #33]

Sorry about stretching this out, seems my dial up service will not handle more than one job at a time.

[John Farrell, Charter Member #33]

Sorry about stretching this out, seems my dial up service will not handle more than one job at a time.

[Mike Poindexter]

John: You might want to do further inquiry into the originality of the case colors. They look like cyanide colors, which could possibly be from the later 30's after Remington took over, or from restorers such as DelGrego. Don't mean to dampen your spirits, its still a nice gun. JMHO.

[John Farrell, Charter Member #33]

I couldn't delete the redundant thread above so thought I would post one more photo of the gun.

[Andy Kelley]

John..Great looking gun and well worth the restoration effort..do you know what caused the stock break?