New member, new gun

[Garth Gustafson]

Hello everyone, Garth Gustafson here, I’m a new member from the Chicago area. About a month ago I bought my first Parker and became a proud custodian of #176236 a VH 16 ga O frame with 28” barrels made in 1917. At some point, this gun was completely refinished, stock and forend re-checkered, barrels re-blued and new case colors. No record of who did the work but whoever did it did a very nice job. I absolutely love this gun.

I’ve wanted a Parker since I first lifted one at Goose Hummock in Orleans, Mass. I was 16 and that was a long time ago. Good things in life are worth waiting for.

Right after I bought her I took her back to Conn. over Thanksgiving and we had some fun. We gave her a lot of exercise and went through 2 cases of clays. I followed your advice and shot 2-1/2” vintage loads. The gun did great. I didn’t do so hot but that’s ok, with more practice, my swing should improve.

Well with that workout, the screw holding the trigger guard loosened up and the screw wouldn’t bite. I debated doing that simple repair myself but in the end I decided not to trust USPS and drove the 200 miles to Grand Rapids in a snowstorm to have it done right. My wife says I’m the one with the loose screw. This VH has become a magnificent obsession.

I want to thank you guys for providing an outstanding forum and for being so generous in sharing your expertise. I’ve been reading your stuff since the spring and personally it has given me enough basic knowledge and confidence to purchase a Parker over the internet, something I was extremely reluctant to do. In fact, if it wasn’t for this forum, I would probably have bought a Parker repro and missed out on owning one of the great examples of American exceptionalism, made in Meriden, Conn, USA, the city where I was born.

Here are some pics...