Parker Bros. VH Vulcan Grade 30″ IM/Full 20 GA SXS Double Shotgun, 1923 C&R
SOLD FOR: $2775
LSB#: 210611TP32
Make: Parker Bros.
Model: Vulcan, Grade V.H.
Serial Number: 201745
Year of Manufacture: 1923
Gauge: 20 Gauge, 2 3/4” Shells
Action Type: Side by Side, Dual Non-Selective Trigger Shotgun with Extractor
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, “HT / A”, “3 5”, with the “5” as a super-script, the left is marked “J.G.” in oval. The underside of the barrel lug is marked “20” and “0”, the left is marked with the serial number. The top of the forend bracket has the serial number and the latch assembly is marked “PATD. MAR. 26. 1878.”. The sides of the frame are marked “PARKER BROS” and with border engraving. The 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 “REG. U.S. PAT. OFF. / PAT’D JAN 18. AUG. 16. 1887. / PAT’D. OCT. 25, 1910. / PAT’D. AUG. 15. 1905″. The lower tang is serialized to the receiver. The grip cap is marked “PARKER BROS / MERIDEN CONN.”. The belly has a sticker which appears to be from a Hollywood based retailer, but the name of the retailer is not legible.
Barrel Length: 30”, with solid, concave rib.
Choke: Left: Fixed Improved Modified, Right: Fixed Full
Sights / Optics: This shotgun is mounted with a silver-colored bead front sight, screwed into the concave solid 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., 12.4 oz.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are two-piece checkered walnut with splinter forend, capped pistol grip, straight comb, metal initial plate in the belly and ventilated brown rubber Mershon White-Line recoil pad with black and white spacers. The stocks have some scattered nicks, dings, scuffs and scratches. There are a few more notable scratches in the forend, most notable at the front to the right of the metal tip. There are no chips or cracks. The checkering is well defined. Drop at comb is approximately 1 3/8”, drop at heel is approximately 2 3/8”. The LOP measures approximately 14 5/8″ and 13 5/8″ from the fronts of the triggers to the back of the recoil pad, 13 3/8” and 12 3/8? to the back of the wood. The pad has light wear, mostly at the heel and toe, there is some separation at the toe and the pad is still fairly supple. The stocks rate in Very Good overall condition.
Type of Finish: Blued & Case Colored
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bores are mostly bright. There is infrequent light erosion scattered in the bores.
Overall Condition: This shotgun retains about 90% of its metal finish. The barrels have generally strong finish throughout with some scattered minor nicks and scratches. The balance is mostly in light wear on the receiver and handling wear on the guard. The receiver has a few scattered light scratches. 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 dual non-selective triggers and an extractor; the tang mounted safety returns to ‘safe’ when the action is opened. 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: None.
Our Assessment: This Parker Brothers VH Grade Hammerless comes to us from 1923. 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 example has had a fairly gentle life, retaining 90% of its metal finish, nice bores and strong mechanics. 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!