Parker Brothers VH Grade V Hammerless 16 Gauge SxS Side by Side, 1923 C&R
Sold For: $1,450
LSB#: 140818LC03
Make: Parker Brothers
Model: Model VH
Serial Number: 202682
Year of Manufacture: 1923
Gauge: 16 Gauge, 2 ½” Chambers
Action Type: Hammerless Side by Side with Ejectors and Double Triggers
Markings: The rib between the barrels is marked “PARKER BROS. MAKERS. MERIDEN, CT. U.S.A. VULCAN STEEL”. The underside of the rear lug is marked “16” and with a sideways “1” while the left side of the lug is marked with the serial number “202682”. The left side barrel flat is marked with “J.G.” in an oval. The right side barrel flat is marked with a circled “V”, “HT / A” and a large “3” followed by a small “8”. The interior of the forearm lug is marked with an “X”. The interior of the forearm hardware is marked “202682 PAT’D MAY 7, 1901”. The exterior of the forearm hardware is marked “PAT’D. MAR.26, 1878”. Both sides of the frame are marked “Parker Bros.” The left side of the water table is marked “VM / 202682” and with a “V”. The right side of the water table is marked “PARKER BROS. / REG. U.S. PAT. OFF.” above PAT’D JAN. 18, AUG. 16, 1887.” over “PAT’D OCT. 25, 1910. / PAT’D AUG. 15, 1905”. The lower tang is marked “202682”. The upper tang must have been marked at the safety, but it is no longer legible.
Barrel Length: 30”
Choke: Full and Full (The bore of the left barrel measures about .637” at the muzzle while the right barrel’s bore measures about .635” at the muzzle.)
Sights / Optics: This shotgun is mounted with a brass bead front sight.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are checkered walnut. The checkering was produced rather flat, as opposed to sometimes sharp modern checkering. The checkering shows some handling and light compression marks, but has no notable marks or defects. The forearm checkering is smooth towards the rear; the pistol grip checkering surprisingly shows less wear than the forearm. The butt stock finish has thinned at the toe and shows some shallow scars on both sides along with the expected handling and compression marks. There are no cracks visible in either stock, but there are several small chips missing where the butt stock mates with the buttplate. The buttplate is black checkered hard rubber and marked “BISHOP”. The buttplate is the only notable non-original piece on the shotgun. The original inlet portion of the factory buttplate remains at the top. This is much clearer in our detailed photos. The edge of the buttplate shows some grinding marks from fitting. The pistol grip cap has a scratch that may appear as a crack in the photos and is marked “PARKER BROS. MERIDEN CONN”. The belly of the butt stock has a plain small brass shield. The LOP measures 14 ¼” from the front of the forward trigger to the back of the buttplate and about 1” less to the rear trigger. The drop at the comb is just under 1 ½” and the drop at the heel is just over 2 ½”. The stocks rate in about Very Good overall condition for a ninety year old field gun.
Type of Finish: Blue Barrels and White Frame and Trigger Guard
Finish Originality: All Original
Bore Condition: The bores are bright. There are spots of erosion visible, particularly in the right barrel. There is a very small dent that can be felt in the right barrel that barely shows in the bore.
Overall Condition: This shotgun retains about 25% of its metal finish. The balance of the finish shows a drift to patina. There is a 1/8” spot of erosion on the left barrel about 7” from the muzzle. There is some spotting in the frames finish, but nothing that would qualify as pinprick erosion. There is a small ding on the forward front side of the trigger guard. The screw heads remain sharp, although clearly one of the buttplate screws is a replacement. The markings are clear except at the safety. Overall, this shotgun rates in about Very Good condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly, the safety and ejectors work. We have not fired this shotgun.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: A nice set of snap caps is provided with this shotgun, so you have no excuse for putting it away with the springs under tension.
Our Assessment: This is a 1923 Parker Brothers 16 gauge Grade V (Vulcan Steel Barrels,) H (Hammerless.) According to Price and Fjestad in “Parker Gun Identification & Serialization” this shotgun left the factory as a 30” side by side with Vulcan Steel barrels, ejectors and a capped pistol grip. That is just how it remains today. With the exception of a Bishop replacement buttplate this gun has been maintained as originally manufactured and remains mechanically fully functional. Whether you wish to collect it or continue to hunt with it this is a very desirable Parker in Very Good condition.
