Parker Bros. Grade 1 VH Hammerless Vulcan Steel, Blue & Case Colored 30” Side by Side SxS Dual Trigger Shotgun MFD 1922 C&R
SOLD FOR: $2,185.00
LSB#: 160627DW01
Make: Parker Bros.
Model: Grade 1, Engraved VH Hammerless, With Vulcan Steel
Serial Number: 201745
Year of Manufacture: 1922 (http://www.parker-shotguns.com/parker-shotguns-serial-numbers-and-year-of-production/)
Gauge: 16 Gauge, 2 3/4” Shells
Action Type: Side by Side, Dual Non-Selective Trigger Shotgun with Ejectors
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 “J.G.” in oval, ”V” in circle, “HT / A / 3 / 8”, the top of the upper lug flat is marked “16 / 1”, the left side of the flat’s lug is marked with the serial number, found again on the top of the forend bracket, which is also marked “PAT’D MAY 7, 1901. The forend release lever is marked “PAT’D MAR. 26, 1878”. The flanks of the frame are marked “PARKER BROS” with zig-zag border engraving. The water table is marked “PARKER BROS / REG. US.S. PAT. OFF. / PAT’D JAN 18 AUG 16 1887 / PAT’D OCT. 25, 1910. / PAT’D AUG. 15, 1905 / VH / 202860 / V”. The lower lug relief is marked “745”. The rolled trigger guard and receiver have zig-zag pattern border engraving, the lower tang is marked “202860”. 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.
Barrel Length: 30”, with solid, concave rib, which tapers from 0.527″ at the breech to 0.357″ at the muzzles.
Choke: The right barrel is fix choked about Full (0.635”), the left is fix choked just under Full (0.632”).
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, displaying some light scuff marks and small dings; some of the checkers and border lines are shallow in comparison to the majority of the other cuts. The buttstock has a checkered pistol grip with a black hard rubber “Parker Bros.” marked cap. The stock has light to moderate depth compression and scuff marks as photographed; there are a few small, shallow chip losses on the left flank by the recoil pad spacer. The stocks have crisp fit to the metal fixtures and are free of cracks and major damages. Drop at comb is 1 5/8”, drop at heel is 2 5/8”. The LOP measures 13 3/4″ from the front of the rear trigger and 14 5/8” from the front of the forward trigger to the back of the orange ventilated rubber shotgun-style recoil pad; the spacer and upper plate tang have crisp fit to the butt stock, the pad is heavily compressed and no longer supple; the pad is in Poor condition. The stocks rate in about 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 is extremely light surface erosion forward of the chambers.
Overall Condition: This shotgun retains about 70% of its metal finish. The blued barrel set has handling wear that is shifting to brown patina, with some general handling marks, scuffs, thinning at the muzzles and small spots of surface oxidation. The receiver has a long scratch mark on the left side that transitioned to the left side of the stock’s wrist. The case coloring remains is faded and remains only in protected areas; the balance of the colored surfaces have patina and some darkened spots of oxidation. The trigger guard and lower tang have handling wear to bare metal with patina 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 ejector; the tang mounted safety returns to ‘safe’ when the action is opened. The shotgun weighs 7lbs 3oz 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: This is a Parker Bros. Grade I VH (Vulcan Steel, Hammerless) made in 1922 and retains about 70% of its metal finish. The stocks have sharp fit to the metal and recoil pad spacer, the bores are bright with a few tiny bumps that translated from some marks on the outside of the barrel. The action functions correctly and the shotgun effortlessly points and has solid construction. For its age and utilitarian purpose, this item has survived qute well and will do well in any collection. Please see our pictures and good luck.
