Parker Brothers VH Vulcan Grade Hammerless 12 GA SXS Double Shotgun1922 C&R

SOLD FOR: $1130

LSB#: 220106TB052

Make: Parker Brothers

Model: VH Grade

Serial Number: 197020

Year of Manufacture: 1922

Gauge: 12 Gauge, 2 1/2” shells.

Action Type: Side by Side, Double Trigger Shotgun with Extractor

Markings: The barrel rib is marked “PARKER BROS. MAKERS. MERIDEN. CT. VULCAN. STEEL”, with two arrows pointing toward the lettering. The left barrel flat is marked “JG” in oval, the right flat is marked “V” in circle, “HT / A” and “41” (with the “1” as super-script) . The underside of the lug is marked “2” and “12”, the left with “197020”. The top of the forend iron is marked “197020”, the forend latch assembly is marked “PAT’D. MAR. 26. 1878”. The sides of the frame are marked “PARKER BROS”. The water table is marked “PARKER BROS. / REG. U.S. PAT. OFF. / PAT’D. JAN. 18. AUG. 16. 1887. / PAT’D. OCT. 25, 1910. / PAT’D. AUG. 15. 1905.? on the right lug. The left lug is marked with “VH / 197020 / V”. The lower tang is marked “197020”. The receiver has border engraving on the receiver and trigger guard. The grip cap is marked “PARKER BROS. / MERIDEN CONN.”. The guard is engraved “197020”

Barrel Length: The barrel has been cut to 28” (Parker records indicate it was originally 30″), with solid, concave rib with wavy lines. The wavy line engraving extends to the front edge of the rib. The barrels just meet at the muzzle.

Choke: The barrels are both choked Improved Cylinder

Sights / Optics: This shotgun is mounted with a brass bead set into the front of the concave solid rib.

Weight: 7 lb., 9.1 oz.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are a two piece checkered walnut set with splinter forend with steel tip, capped pistol grip, straight comb, silver initial plate inlet to the belly, and checkered black hard rubber buttplate with recessed hunting dog scene. The scene has “PARKER / BROTHERS” around it. The stocks have several scattered nicks, scuffs and scratches. There is thinning finish in the grip areas. There is a brass cross-pin in the front of the wrist, visible on each side, indicating a repair. There is a crack in the top of the wrist which may go deeper given the brass pin repair. The checkering is generally well defined. The drop at comb is approximately 1 3/4″, drop at heel 3″. The LOP measures 14 1/4″ and 13 3/8″ from the fronts of the triggers to the back of the buttplate. The plate has scattered light wear with well defined checkering and lettering. Overall, the stocks are in about Very Good condition as refinished and repaired.

Type of Finish: Blued & Case Color

Finish Originality: Original

Bore Condition: The bores are mostly bright. There is some stubborn fouling at the muzzle ends. There are two very minor dents 2 1/2″-3 1/2″ from the muzzles which are barely visible in the bottom of the left bore.

Overall Condition: This shotgun retains about 65% of its metal finish. The finish is thinning at all edges. The barrels have generally strong finish along the tops and bottoms with scattered finish wear along the sides, more notable over the forend and at the chambers. The receiver has handling wear toward the bottom-front with stronger finish toward the top-rear. There are some scattered light nicks, scuffs and scratches with a more notable ding in the right receiver flat. There are two small, very minor dents in the bottom of the right barrel which are barely visible in the bore. The action shows operational wear. The screw heads range from sharp to tool marked with strong slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this shotgun is in Good-plus 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 has 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 Parker Brothers VH Grade Hammerless comes to us from 1922. 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. The Trojan would be introduced in 1913 to compete with lower priced options from other manufacturers, but the Vulcan would stick around for those who were willing to pay for quality but also wanted to actually take their guns into the field. The gun has had its barrels cut, according to records found in the Price & Fjestad book “Parker Gun Identification & Serialization” which indicate it originally shipped with 30″ barrels, now 28″. Having been cut, each barrel is now choked Improved Cylinder, which should make for a good upland bird gun. The gun shows its age with about 65% of its metal finish remaining, good bores apart from a couple of very minor dents in the bottom of the right barrel, and the mechanics are still strong with a solid lockup. This classic shotgun would make a nice addition to any collection, especially for a Parker collector. Please see our photos and good luck!

Parker Brothers VH Vulcan Grade Hammerless 12 GA SXS Double Shotgun1922 C&R
Parker Brothers VH Vulcan Grade Hammerless 12 GA SXS Double Shotgun1922 C&R