Parker Bros. Grade 1 VH Hammerless Vulcan Steel, Blue & Case Colored 28” Side by Side, Dual Trigger Shotgun, MFD 1924 C&R
SOLD FOR: $3,305.00
LSB#: 160723MB02
Make: Parker Bros.
Model: Grade 1, Engraved VH Hammerless, With Vulcan Steel
Serial Number: 209334
Year of Manufacture: 1924 (http://www.parker-shotguns.com/parker-shotguns-serial-numbers-and-year-of-production/)
Gauge: 16 Gauge, 2 5/8” Shells
Action Type: Side by Side, Dual Non-Selective Trigger Shotgun with Extractor
Markings: The barrel rib is marked “PARKER BROS. MAKERS. MERIDEN. CONN. 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” and a small “4” with “J.G.” in oval, the underside of the barrel lug is marked “16 / 1”, the left is marked with the serial number. The top of the forend bracket has the serial number. The flanks of the receiver are marked “PARKER BROS” with zig-zag border engraving. The water table is marked with the serial number, “PAT’D AUG 15 1905 / PAT’D JAN 18 AUG 16 1887 / PAT’D OCT. 25, 1910 / VH / V”, the top of the trigger plate is marked “334”. The rolled trigger guard and receiver have zig-zag pattern border engraving, the lower tang is marked with the serial number. The upper tang is marked “SAFE”. The pistol grip cap is marked “PARKER BROS. / MERIDEN, CONN”. the belly of the stock has a shield-shaped brass insert that has not been engraved. The butt plate has an embossed dog, holding a bird in its mouth, flanked by “PARKER BROTHERS”.
Barrel Length: 30”, with solid, concave rib, which tapers from 0.456″ at the breech to 0.297″ at the muzzles.
Choke: The right barrel is fix choked about Full (0.636”), the left is fix choked Full (0.635”).
Sights / Optics: This shotgun is mounted with a brass bead, screwed into the concave solid rib; the top of the rib is milled in a wave-like pattern for glare reduction.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are a two piece walnut set. The splinter forend has underside checkering and a metal nose tip; the wood has sharp fit to the metal items. The stock shows scattered light marks and no cracks or chip losses. The butt stock has a flank checkered pistol grip, capped with a Parker Bros hard rubber piece. The belly has a shield-shaped metal insert that is not engraved. The wood has sharp fit to the metal. There is a thin un-repaired crack on the left side of the wrist which extends into the checkering. The stock displays a few dings and scuff marks; the belly has some scrapes, the flanks have a few small, but deeper marks. Drop at comb is 1 1/2”, drop at heel is 2 1/2”. The LOP measures 13 1/2″ from the front of the rear trigger and 14 1/4″ from the front of the forward trigger to the back of the brown hard rubber checkered and embossed shotgun-style butt plate; the plate has superb fit to the wood and shows scuffing and light marks as photographed, rating in about Fine Plus condition. The stocks rate in about Very Good Plus to Fine overall condition.
Type of Finish: Blued & Case Colored
Finish Originality: Factory Original
Bore Condition: The bores are bright; the bores have a few very light bumps that translated from small marks on the outside of the barrels. There no erosion.
Overall Condition: This shotgun retains about 80% of its metal finish. The barrel has a few extremely light dings that translated as small bumps on the inside of the bores, towards the muzzle. The barrel set shows some scattered scuff and light scrape marks as photographed. The case coloring on the forend’s outer surfaces is gone, but remains on the top of the bracket, the coloring of the receiver and its components remain with discernible hue on the flanks, with wear to bare metal on the underside, which has shifted to a mottled gray color with spots of light erosion. The trigger guard and lower tang have areas of handling wear to bare metal with patina and surface erosion present. The screw head slots range from sharp to lightly tooled but are all serviceable. The markings are crisp. Overall, this shotgun rates in about 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 shotgun weighs 6lbs 10oz with no play in the frame to barrel fit. 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: From Wikipedia “Parker Bros., also known at various times as Parker Brothers Manufacturing Company, Parker Brothers Guns, and Parker Bros. Shotguns, was an American firm almost exclusively producing shotguns from approximately 1867 through 1942 . During these years, approximately 242,000 guns were produced in various grades and are widely considered the finest and most collectible American shotgun.” This is a Parker Bros. Grade I VH (Vulcan Steel, Hammerless) made in 1924 and retains about 80% of its metal finish. The stocks have sharp fit to the metal and original butt plate, the bores are bright with a few tiny bumps that translated from some marks on the outside of the barrel but are not deep enough to cause any accuracy issues. The action functions correctly, the shotgun points effortlessly and has solid construction. For its age and utilitarian purpose, this item has survived quite well and will do well in any collection. Please see our pictures and good luck.
