Parker Bros. VHE Grade 16 GA 26″ SKEET Double Barrel Shotgun, MFD 1936 C&R
SOLD FOR: $9204
LSB#: 221208BG007
Make: Parker Bros.
Model: Vulcan, Grade VHE
Serial Number: 239493
Year of Manufacture: 1936
Gauge: 16 Gauge, 2 3/4” Shells
Action Type: Side by Side, Single Selective Trigger Shotgun with Ejectors
Markings: The barrel rib is marked “PARKER BROS, MAKERS, MERIDEN, CT. U.S.A. VULCAN. STEEL”, with two arrows pointing towards the lettering. The underside of the barrel set flat is marked “V” in circle, “34”, with the “4” as a super-script, and “SKEET / OUT” on the right side while the left is marked with an iron cross. “L E”, and “SKEET / IN”, both flats are marked “OVERLOAD / PARKER GUN WORKS / PROVED”. The underside of the barrel lug is marked “16” and “1”, the left is marked with the serial number. The top of the forend bracket has the serial number. The bottom of the frame is marked “PARKER”. The frame, bottom frame plate, trigger guard, bottom tang, and forend bracket at the frame have border engraving. The frame and bottom plate have decorative engraving around the screws. The water table is marked with “VH”, the serial number, “V”, and “PAT’D. OCT. 25, 1910? on the left and the right is marked “PARKER BROS / PAT’D. OCT. 25. 1910.”. The lower tang is serialized to the receiver. The grip cap is marked “PARKER BROS / MERIDEN CONN.”.
Barrel Length: 26”, with solid, concave rib.
Choke: Left: Fixed Skeet In, Right: Fixed Skeet Out
Sights / Optics: The front sight has broken off, there is a base that remains at the muzzle. There is a white midbead on the rib. The top of the rib is milled in a wave-like pattern for glare reduction which stops at a scribed line just behind the muzzle.
Weight: 6 lb., 15 oz.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are two-piece checkered walnut with beavertail forend, straight grip, straight comb, metal initial plate in the belly (unmarked) and checkered bare wood butt. There are some scattered compressions, draglines, and a few little dings. There is a tiny loss on the left side of the forend at the top corner. There are some scattered areas of finish loss, most noticeable on the forend at the front. There are some scuffs that have worn the finish. Drop at comb is approximately 1 1/2”, drop at heel is approximately 2 1/8”. The LOP measures approximately 14″ from the front of the trigger to the back of the butt The checkered butt has some scattered areas of light wear and some debris which should clean out. The majority of the wear is on the heel. The stocks rate in about Fine overall condition as restored.
Type of Finish: Blued & Case Colored
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bores are bright. There is no erosion. In my opinion, these bores rate 10 out of 10.
Overall Condition: This shotgun retains about 80% of its current metal finish. There are areas of finish loss and thinning on the frame and tangs, most noticeable on the bottom. The receiver, tangs, and trigger guard have scattered areas of oxidation and patina. There are a few heavier spots of oxidation on the top tang. There are a few small spots of erosion, most noticeable on the left side of the frame. The strongest case color is under the lever with a relatively strong case color on the sides up by the top. The barrel set has some scattered nicks and light scratches. There are some scattered scuffs that have lightly thinned the finish. There are some scattered handling marks. The screw heads range from sharp to lightly tool marked with strong slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this shotgun is in Very Good-Fine condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The shotgun features a single selective trigger, the tang-mounted safety does not return to ‘safe’ when the action is opened but functions correctly when activated manually. The barrel-to-frame fit is solid. We have not fired this shotgun. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: Included is a Browning Naugahyde case.
Our Assessment: This Parker Brothers VH Grade Hammerless comes to us from 1936, after the company was bought out by Remington. Fewer and fewer Parkers were being sold in the late 1930s and early 1940s and production was finally ceased to free up manufacturing capacity for wartime production. The VH or Vulcan Grade was a “knockabout” gun produced by Parker which still had the same quality in manufacture and attention to detail of their higher grade, and higher priced, offerings. This one is a 16 gauge with 26″ barrels choked Skeet In and Skeet Out. The Parker Records indicate that it shipped with its single selective trigger and ejectors, some nice features for a gun marketed as a “knockabout” gun. The bores are bright with no erosion and this can easily make it back into the field or to the range. There is some wear, but in our opinion, it gives it some chrarm and is to be expected of a gun nearing its 90th birthday. It will make a great addition to any collection, whether your interest is Parker shotguns, or you can simply appreciate a classic American shotgun. Please see our photos and good luck!
Some are hot, some are not, but thankfully most can be shot!
-Red
