Parker VH #89025 Questions

[James Butts]

Hello, I was at the sporting clay range recently and shot a browning side by side and loved it so a couple of weeks later I found this Parker VH at a local auction to take out to the course. I picked it up for $400 hoping that it would be a good shooter, but then I started to wonder if it was worth it. I looked up the number and its from 1898 and I dont know alot about it other than that so I was hoping the people on this forum could answer some questions. After reading a couple of threads I got excited about the tradition surrounding these guns and knew I was in the right place to learn more.

So, to get started I borrowed a couple of snap caps and the firing mechanism is strong. There is some deeper pitting where the shells are fired and some lighter pitting throughout the barrel, which makes me wonder if it is safe to shoot. Unfortunately there is no gunsmith nearby so I guess it will sit in the safe for awhile.

However, I dont know why someone would go through all the trouble to re-blue the barrels and re-case color the gun if it wasnt shootable. I know it probably hurt the value but it sure does look pretty!

The second thing that I noticed was the stock doesnt look original. there is no gold crest under the stock and it lacks checkering like alot of other pictures I have seen, but it does fit the receiver well. Another red flag is the barrels are 24" measured from opening to opening. Was this an option or where they cut at some point? The bead at the end of the barrel is still there so it kinda throws me off.

I am going to have to wait to save up for the paperwork on the gun from the association but I thought in the mean time I would see what the experts think if I got a deal or a dud. Attached are a couple of pictures so you can see for yourself.

Thanks for any advice I can get!

James

[Bindlestiff]

According to the ser# book your gun left the factory with 30inch 12ga barrels and a capped pistol grip stock.

[James Butts]

Thank you! Very interesting I wonder why they would cut it down!? Its a shame, ohh well who needs an extra 6" and a choke or two lol. Good info on the stock too, i guess this was a Frankenparker restoration =-).

[charlie cleveland]

looks like a good shooter to me i think you got a bargain in a nice looking gun....charlie

[B. Dudley]

Based on what I see, buttstock is a poor replacement, forend very worn out, frame has been re case colored, trigger guard engraving polished out and a second screw put through it. And barrels look like they might have been hot blued. And cut as well.

As a shooter that you will use, you did not really over pay. As you would not find a reasonable condition original a ah for that price, But there are a good amount of issues with the gun.

[Fishtail]

Are those lines from being re-tubed?

[James Butts]

Thanks for all the info so far! Fishtail if you are looking at the 5th picture down on the right barrel, the two streaks, they are smudges it is so glossy that any place I touch it a smudge mark shows up. So I end up taking a remcloth to it in the safe to get rid of any marks.