Make: Parker Bros. (Remington production)

Model: Vulcan Grade Hammerless VHE

Serial Number: 239175

Year of Manufacture: 1936

Gauge: 12 Gauge, 2 3/4" Shells

Action Type: Side by Side, Single Selective Trigger Shotgun with Ejectors

Barrel Length: 32"

Choke: Both fixed Improved Modified

Sights / Optics: There is a white bead at the front of the rib and a smaller metal mid-bead. The top of the rib is milled in a wave-like pattern for glare reduction which stops at a scribed line just behind the muzzle.

Weight: 8 lb., 3.6 oz.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are two-piece checkered select walnut with beavertail forend, capped pistol grip, monte carlo comb, orange rubber NoShoc buttpad and an initial plate inlaid to the belly (not marked). The forend has an expertly repaired loss at the top-front on the right and a repaired crack at the left-rear near the top. There are tiny cracks at the rear of the top tang. There are a few other scattered minor marks. The checkering is well defined. Drop at the front of the comb is approximately 1 1/2", 1 5/8" at the rear, drop at heel is approximately 1 7/8". The LOP measures approximately 14 1/8" from the front of the trigger to the back of the pad, 13 3/8" to the back of the wood. The pad shows light wear and discoloration, but remains fairly supple. The stocks rate in Very Good-Fine overall condition as restored.

Type of Finish: Blue & Case Color

Finish Originality: The receiver's finish appears Original, we suspect that the barrels were restored during a rib repair/replacement.

Bore Condition: The bores are mostly bright. There is a little minor erosion in the chambers and infrequent stubborn fouling. In this writer's opinion, the bores rate 9/10.

Overall Condition: This shotgun retains about 85% of its metal finish. The finish is thinning at all edges. The barrels have generally strong finish with a few minor scuffs and scratches as well as wear from the forend, concealed when assembled. The receiver's case color is muted toward the bottom-front, stronger toward the top-rear. The receiver has some minor surface oxidation. The trigger guard is mostly worn to white. The action shows operational wear. The screw heads range from sharp to lightly tool marked with strong slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this shotgun is in Very Good condition as restored.

Mechanics: The action functions correctly including ejectors. The safety does not return to 'safe' when the action is opened, but functions properly when engaged manually. 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: Included is a photocopy of a Parker Gun Collectors Association letter indicating that the gun was completed November 22, 1936 and shipped April 27, 1937 as a VHE hammerless, 12 gauge, 32" Vulcan steel barrels, Parker SST, and raised ventilated rib. These features are also confirmed in the serial records of the Price/Fjestad book.

Our Assessment: This Parker Brothers VH Grade Hammerless comes to us from 1936, after the company was bought out by Remington. 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. This example is in quite a scarce configuration, with 32" barrels, raised, ventilated rib, and ejectors. It is in Very Good condition, having seen some restoration with a skillful repair of the beavertail forend and a repair to the rib. The configuration matches the Parker Records for this serial number, so the restoration does not appear to be an up-grade. It is also worth noting that while the wood is of higher quality than usual for Parker Vulcan guns, collectors speculate that Remington used remaining Parker walnut blanks to help cut costs after buying the company. It seems that there were several Remington/Parker guns that had higher grade wood than normal for their model. The gun is chambered for 12 gauge shells with its 32" barrels choked Improved Modified, which should make for a decent field gun and a great trap gun. This interesting gun will make a great addition to any collection, whether your interest is Parker shotguns, or you can simply appreciate an American classic. Please see our photos and good luck!