Parker VH SxS 16ga.?

[Mainehunter]

I have an opportunity to acquire what I think is a decent Parker VH but I'm trying to figure out the chamber length. I didn't have with me my chamber length gauge when I was looking at it but doing some research, I've read there were a few different lengths over the years. Shouldn't there be a stamp under the breach to determine what length? I didn't see anything stamped but who's to say the chamber wasn't modified later?

Mainehunter

[GunnyMack]

Our in house Parker man 6pt should chime in and give you a definitive answer.

[Mainehunter]

Our in house Parker man 6pt should chime in and give you a definitive answer.

That's right! I completely forgot about 6pt! Hope he can shed some light on this!

[6pt-sika]

No stamping except on some 10 gauge 3 1/2” Parker’s and maybe a few 3” 12 gauge . If you’ve got chamber gauges the chamber should show 2 5/8” . Parker as a general rule cut chambers an 1/8” short . I do however have a Parker on a 2 frame with 32” barrels that left the factory with 2 7/8” chambers . I didn’t know until I get the letter on that gun that once upon a time there were factory loaded 3” 16 gauge ! Now back to 2 5/8” chambers , I used to load a relatively light load for a circa 1912 GH 16 I have , but at some point I tried some factory dove/quail loads and they worked fine . That’s not so say a rule etched in stone but I shoot a lot of Damascus guns so it is what it is . But I’d say it’s a pretty general rule that factory dove/quail , rabbit/squirrel and regular field loads”should be” safe in any fluid steel barreled gun in decent shape .

[6pt-sika]

FWIW , usually if the chamber length on a Parker is stamped on the underside of the barrels it was done if someone ran the chamber out themselves and not done at the factory . Only ones I’ve seen that the factory stamped had the chamber length stamped on the side of the barrel lug .

[Mainehunter]

Thanks for the reply 6pt-sika! When I did look at the Parker, the gentlemen said he thinks the chambers are 2 1/2" which really threw me off! The shotgun belongs to a friend who passed away a while ago. He's not into shotguns so doesn't know much about it. From what I gathered it's on a "1" frame, 26" barrel, VH model and built in 1928. Most the color case finish is pretty much gone but has nice a patina finish. Lock up is tight and the bore is spotless. The only issue is the stock has been repaired at some point in the usual spot where they crack. A gunsmith did a plug job which looks OK. Overall, it's in really good shape for its age.

Mainehunter

[6pt-sika]

Thanks for the reply 6pt-sika! When I did look at the Parker, the gentlemen said he thinks the chambers are 2 1/2" which really threw me off! The shotgun belongs to a friend who passed away a while ago. He's not into shotguns so doesn't know much about it. From what I gathered it's on a "1" frame, 26" barrel, VH model and built in 1928. Most the color case finish is pretty much gone but has nice a patina finish. Lock up is tight and the bore is spotless. The only issue is the stock has been repaired at some point in the usual spot where they crack. A gunsmith did a plug job which looks OK. Overall, it's in really good shape for its age.
Mainehunter

I’ve had Parker 16’s hammer and hammerless on 0 frames , hammer and hammerless on 1 frames and the 2 frame hammerless mentioned above . I had a very nice VH 16 on an 0 frame with factory 26” barrels that was IC/M if I remmember correctly . Didn’t have it long but while I had it , it accounted for a fair number of dove and quail as well as a couple rabbits . At the moment I have a very nice VHE 16 lettered skeet gun . By letter I mean reference letter from the PGCA that uses the old factory records to validate . That ones on a 1 frame straight grip , checkered butt , factory single selective trigger , beavertail forend and 26” skeet in/skeet out choked barrels .

[Marlin32]

I have a 16ga Parker Trojan, has 2 1/2" chambers.