This is an original Parker
Brothers VH Grade, 12 Gauge hammerless, side-by-side shotgun from 1909. This particular shotgun was ordered by the E.
K. Tryon Company of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on January 22, 1909, and it was
shipped from the factory on April 6, 1909.
This shotgun’s information is found in the original Parker Brothers
Order Book No. 78 and confirms that it was a VH hammerless in 12 Gauge with
30-inch Vulcan Steel Barrels. The specifications
are also listed in the order book and are: pistol grip stock configuration,
drop at the heel of between 2 ½” and 3 ¼”, weight between 7 and 7 ¾” pounds, and
right hand modified choke and left hand full choke. The order was placed by S. A. Tucker. The original sales price in 1909 was $50.00.
Charles Parker began as an
industrial manufacturer of numerous durable goods, including hardware, lamps,
spectacles, steam engines, presses, tooling and even railroad wheels in
Meriden, Connecticut beginning in 1828, under the name Meriden Machine
Company. Charles Parker created numerous
companies over the years, including the Meriden Curtain Fixture Company, Parker
& Whipple Company, which manufactured clocks, and, later, Parker Brothers,
manufacturing fine shotguns.
Once the Civil War began, Parker,
like many other New England manufacturers, capitalized on the need for firearms
and, joined by Gamaliel F. Snow and machinist James. S. Brooks, created the
Parker, Snow, Brooks & Company in 1860.
On September 28, 1863, Parker,
Snow, Brooks & Company received a US contract for the production of 15,000
Model 1861 pattern rifle muskets for $19.00 each.
Interestingly, most of the
components for Parker, Snow’s contract were manufactured under subcontract by
other makers. Parker, Snow delivered the
15,000 contracted-for rifles in 1863 and 1864.
In January 1865, the company’s
name was changed to the Meriden Manufacturing Company and, under this name, the
company produced 5,000 Triplett & Scott magazine firearms for the state of
Kentucky. Shortly after the end of the
Civil War, employee William H. Miller developed a cartridge system and the
company altered approximately 5,000 Parker, Snow Model 1861 pattern rifles
using this system, known as the Miller Alteration. During the Civil War, Miller designed and
manufactured the prototype of what would become the first Parker Brothers
shotgun. Charles Parker made the
decision to produce these shotguns after the war and created Parker Brothers in
1868.
As noted, this is a “VH” Grade
Parker Shotgun, also known as the “Vulcan Grade” and which used the Vulcan
Steel Barrels. The Parker Brothers VH
was the workhorse of Parker Shotguns in the early 20th Century. The Vulcan Grade Parkers began production in
1899 and were produced until Parker Brothers was taken over by Remington. VH Shotguns were manufactured in 10, 12, 16,
20, 28, and .410 gauge, and this particular shotgun is in 12 gauge. Parker Brothers manufactured 78,677 shotguns
with Vulcan Steel barrels.
The stock on this shotgun is the
original American Black Walnut with nice grain. There are normal operational
dings and scratches and there is one crack on the left side of the wrist that
extends from the trigger guard rearward about 3 inches, although the crack is
tight, does not extend to the other side, and the stock does not flex. The wrist and pistol grip have the original
checkering that is now very worn from use.
The original Parker Butt Plate is
present, and it has the dog with a bird in its mouth. The butt plate exhibits wear but there are
no cracks or chips noted. The pistol
grip cap is the Original “Parker Brothers” cap with “MERIDEN CONN.” Address that
remains in excellent condition. The
bottom of the butt has the original German silver shield that was never
engraved.
Both the Left Hand Trigger and
Right Hand Trigger are present and both retain considerable blued finish. Both Triggers still release crisply.
The receiver exhibits a pewter
patina generally and has generous original color case-hardened finish on the
water table. The right side of the
Receiver has the “PARKER BROS” engraving along with border engraving. The Bolsters are also engraved around the
edge. The left side of the Receiver has
the “PARKER BROS” engraving along with border engraving. The Receiver Tang also exhibits a pewter
patina with considerable original color case-hardened finish towards the
receiver, and the “SAFE” engraving is still crisply. The serrated Safety is present and operates
smoothly. The Top Lever also operates
smoothly and retains generous color case-hardened finish.
The Water Table has the patent
information stamps, “PAT’D JAN.18.AUG.16.1887. / MAY 7 – OCT.8.1889/
PAT’D.AUG.15.1905,” on one side and the “V” Vulcan stamp, and the serial number
“139888” stamp.
The Guard Bow exhibits a dark plum
patina and is engraved around the edge.
The Trigger Plate exhibits a pewter and plum patina and has the serial
number “139888” engraved on the rearmost portion. The plate also has border engraving.
The original barrel set is in very
good condition and measures 30” long and it has 2 7/8” chambers. Both barrels retain considerable original
blued finish with areas of wear on the left side of the barrel, mid-length, and
on the right side near the chambers, along with minor areas of staining. The original rib is present and is marked,
“PARKER BROS. MAKERS. MERIDEN, CONN. VULCAN STEEL.” The original brass sighting post is present
on the front of the rib. The bottom of the barrel mount has the oval “W.K.”
inspection stamp, a circle serif “V” stamp, and the “3 14” stamp, indicating
the barrel assembly weighs 3 pounds 14 ounces.
The bottom of the mount also has a “1 ½” stamp indicating it is 1 ½ frame
size. The side of the barrel mount has
the matching serial number “139888.” The
Extractor is present and works smoothly.
Barrel lockup is as tight as the day this shotgun was manufactured. The nose of the barrel mount has the matching
partial serial number “88” stamp. The
bores of both barrels are very clean with a mirror finish. As noted previously,
the right barrel is a modified choke, and the left barrel is a full choke.
This shotgun has its original and
matching Splinter Forend. The Forend
Iron exhibits generous original color case-hardened finish and it has the
matching serial number “139888.” The
American Black Walnut is in fine condition with no cracks or chips noted. The Forend Lock exhibits a pewter patina and has
the patent stamp “PATD.MAR.26.1878.” The
forend nose iron also exhibits a pewter patina.
The attaching iron spring is still strong, and it secures tightly to the
barrel.
This shotgun functions perfectly
and would still be a fine bird gun today in its popular 12-gauge configuration.