S |
M |
T |
W |
T |
F |
S |
|
|
|
1
|
2
|
3
|
4
|
5
|
6
|
7
|
8
|
9
|
10
|
11
|
12
|
13
|
14
|
15
|
16
|
17
|
18
|
19
|
20
|
21
|
22
|
23
|
24
|
25
|
26
|
27
|
28
|
29
|
30
|
31
|
|
|
Forums10
Topics38,547
Posts546,154
Members14,423
|
Most Online1,344 Apr 29th, 2024
|
|
|
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 2,268 Likes: 93
Sidelock
|
Sidelock
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 2,268 Likes: 93 |
Beware of the Parker with 3” chambers unless it was made that way at the factory. If lengthened, the wall thickness in front of the chamber may have been compromised. If it’s a #2 frame it may be OK but not necessarily. Also, heavy recoil loads could do damage to that old wood. Caveat emptor! Yep, I talked to Delgreco and he warned me about that. On the other hand, it is a #2 frame with relatively heavy (4#-4oz) barrels, and appears to have been done a long time ago. My gunsmith, a Parker guy, thinks it’s probably proved itself after being shot this long. Btw, I would never shoot 3” anything out of it, 2-3/4” 1-1/4 Oz loads of bismuth or lead. Sent you a PM.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 3,437 Likes: 34
Sidelock
|
Sidelock
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 3,437 Likes: 34 |
The boys at the now defunct Ivory Beads felt that the Sterly was the best of the American classics for waterfowling, even with steel. Since yours is F/F, I'd be real careful if using steel in it. So it sounds like you have the waterfowl part covered. For a light upland gun, the Parker 16 at 6-6 with 28" barrels might be on a zero frame. If it's a zero, that is a nearly ideal upland gun for extended carry. I have a Parker 16/28" on a one frame that weighs a bit more than that, and another Parker 16/28" on a zero frame that weighs a bit less than that. Both are great guns and handle 2-3/4" field loads (including the occasional pheasant loads) with no problems. Solid guns, attractive, will hold their value. On the other hand, I have one (only one) Brit gun, a 12/28" hammergun with laminated barrels. It's a beauty and I love to shoot it. That vs a Parker would be a tough choice. Standard advice is to buy the best gun you can find that fits you and your budget. A quality Spanish gun can be a real bargain if you know what you are looking at.
|
1 member likes this:
Glacierjohn |
|
|
|
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 9,750 Likes: 97
Sidelock
|
Sidelock
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 9,750 Likes: 97 |
a 6 1/2 pound parker is clubby when compared to a 6 pound fox....particularly at the end of the day when you been breaking trail in the thick stuff, where the birds are...
and if you are old an tired, a 5 1/2 pound ithaca 20 is even a better idea...
Last edited by ed good; 03/08/21 02:30 PM.
keep it simple and keep it safe...
|
1 member likes this:
Glacierjohn |
|
|
|
Joined: Nov 2019
Posts: 104 Likes: 7
Sidelock
|
OP
Sidelock
Joined: Nov 2019
Posts: 104 Likes: 7 |
We do a lot of walking chasing pheasants out here in Montana, but pretty open country. I’m 71 now, been hunting since 1966. I was a one gun hunter, a 12 ga Winchester pump, for my first 25 years, then started adding shotguns for different applications. I already mentioned all the side by sides I’ve had, but several over under’s should be counted. A nice 20 ga mid 70s Winchester 101 was my lightest. I’ve come to believe, for me a 6 to 6-1/2# gun is my best compromise between easy carry and smooth swinging. I actually carried my 7-1/4# Lefever in the field for years without issue.
I also have my dad’s 16 ga Model 12 with straight stock and nice wood, it’s a very nice upland gun.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 137 Likes: 24
Sidelock
|
Sidelock
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 137 Likes: 24 |
12 ga. VH Parkers in shooting (as opposed to collecting) condition are all over the market at $1000, plus or minus a couple of hundred. 16 ga. VHE in original condition might get $3000, but would have to be really nice. Cant tell without seeing the guns but they seem overpriced based on the description. I have several 16 ga. field guns, two Parkers, an LC, and an Ithaca. All weigh between 6-5 and 6-12 and carry much nicer than a 7 1/2 lb 12 bore imho. You wont lose money on a 16 ga. if you buy it prudently. (I shy away from English guns, as you can probably tell, not because they are bad guns, but because they are so variable in design and fit. Again, jmho.)
|
1 member likes this:
Glacierjohn |
|
|
|
Joined: Nov 2019
Posts: 104 Likes: 7
Sidelock
|
OP
Sidelock
Joined: Nov 2019
Posts: 104 Likes: 7 |
12 ga. VH Parkers in shooting (as opposed to collecting) condition are all over the market at $1000, plus or minus a couple of hundred. 16 ga. VHE in original condition might get $3000, but would have to be really nice. Cant tell without seeing the guns but they seem overpriced based on the description. I have several 16 ga. field guns, two Parkers, an LC, and an Ithaca. All weigh between 6-5 and 6-12 and carry much nicer than a 7 1/2 lb 12 bore imho. You wont lose money on a 16 ga. if you buy it prudently. (I shy away from English guns, as you can probably tell, not because they are bad guns, but because they are so variable in design and fit. Again, jmho.) I just a quick google search and found eighteen 16 ga Parker VH-VHEs; $4,500, 4,000, 7,750, 2,850, 6,000, 2,500, 3,250, 4,000, 6,900, 4,500, 4,000, 2,800, 3,300, 2,300, 6,000, 2,250, 4,000, Trojan 2,400, and a very poor condition VH for 2,850. I did find a nice shooter Sterlingworth with 28” barrels, 2-1/2” chambers for $1,400.00. Admittedly a lot of those $5,000-$7,000 Parker’s are in good original condition, but the few I found under 3,000 are in pretty bad shape. I don’t need pristine, but I want a nice looking gun. I don’t mind a gone-grey action, but no pitting please. Same with the barrels, no pitting and at least 60% original bluing, and the stock can’t be beat to hell.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Nov 2019
Posts: 104 Likes: 7
Sidelock
|
OP
Sidelock
Joined: Nov 2019
Posts: 104 Likes: 7 |
Not that I doubt you, I’d just like to find one of these $1,000 VH’s. Also the term “shooter” is rather vague. I have a feeling I’m looking for something between shooter and collectible.
This is one area where I think the Brits have it better. Over here it’s considered sacrilege to restore anotherwise medium condition old gun. Over there, they don’t have the same hang up, to re-blue a gun, or even properly sleeve the barrels is no big thing.
Last edited by Glacierjohn; 03/09/21 03:28 PM.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Nov 2019
Posts: 104 Likes: 7
Sidelock
|
OP
Sidelock
Joined: Nov 2019
Posts: 104 Likes: 7 |
|
|
|
|
Joined: Nov 2019
Posts: 104 Likes: 7
Sidelock
|
OP
Sidelock
Joined: Nov 2019
Posts: 104 Likes: 7 |
|
|
|
|
|