Hello from Chestertown, MD

[Paul Bramble]

Hello from Md's Eastern Shore. I'm a shotgun sports enthusiast who owns a 28ga Parker repro and a 12 gauge Parker VH. I just recently purchased the VH, very reasonably priced, and after consultation with a gunsmith, had it redone with Cerakote rather than bluing. This gun was in very rough shape, and he assured me the finish wouldn't hurt its value as my total cost for purchase and refinish was still less than the guns value. I'm pleased with what he did, and won't feel bad about taking this gun to the booby blind for cans and blackheads.

Been very interesting perusing this forum, the knowledge base is excellent.

Cheers

[David Noble]

Congratulations on your recent purchase of a VH Parker shotgun!
I wish you would upload some pictures of the new finish on the gun.
Also, it would be great if you could give us info and pictures of your 28ga reproduction.
We love pictures here!

[Big D]

My first exposure to duck hunting was property which is now the Kent School, downstream from Chestertown. Back in about 1954 it was a farm

[Paul Bramble]

John,
I went to Kent School! The property around it is still a hunting club.

[Big D]

I talked to the man whom I believe was the Janitor. Lives on the premises. Tried quietly to get invited a hunt there, but no luck. He talked about their last day of the season hunt which sounded amazing.
Things have changed. We hunted from a blind that was on "Miller's Island", which was in the cove of the creek coming from the fields. There was a blind at the mouth of the creek, but we never hunted it. The Janitor was surprised that we hunted the island. Said no one did any more

[Paul Bramble]

Here are some shots of the V, unfortunately, I don’t have any shots of the whole gun. As you can see, some pitting on the barrel, we decided not to remove that when we refinished the barrel due to value of the Gun vs. the cost. As I said, this gun is one I won’t be upset about taking into rougher conditions.

[Paul Bramble]

This is my Repro. Fun little gun that I have taken a lot of dove with. It was a gift from my father about ten years ago. I recently had an issue with double firing, took it to a gunsmith who dissembled it, and didn’t find anything wrong, but gave it a good clean and upon testing could not reproduce the problem. We started cutting sunflowers today in anticipation for Sept 1, my favorite day of the year.

[David Noble]

Paul, do you know if the gunsmith boiled the barrels prior to applying the finish?
I wonder if some automotive body filler could be used on a badly pitted area to smooth it out before applying the Cerakote?

That 28ga repro was a great gift from your father! I once had a similar gun and loved it. I now own a 28ga / 410 repro but have yet to shoot it. Perhaps I'll take it this dove season.

[Paul Bramble]

David,
I don't know, but I'll ask him.