description

According to the Parker Gun Identification and Serialization by Price and Fjestad, this Parker Bros. shotgun was originally completed as a hammerless VH with ejectors, 30" steel barrels, and a capped pistol grip stock in 1921. 

Frank Pachmayr was trained as a gunmaker by his grandfather and father. Both of these men were old world master gunmakers able to build a complete gun or rifle from the ground up; lock, stock, and barrel. Frank Pachmayr established Pachmayr in 1929 and is considered the father of the modern "enhanced" 1911 so prevalent today in the modern handgun space. Pachmayr also pioneered the market for replacement rubber grips for handguns and recoil pads for guns and rifles. 

From the  1960's through the 1980's, Pachmayr was a custom gunmaker as well as a maker of aftermarket parts to "improve" most production made handguns. In addition, another niche that Pachmayr served was in the custom shotgun market, specifically on American made side by side shotguns such as the Winchester Model 21 and the Parker Bros. Hammerless gun.

Using the basic metal parts as a foundation, the Pachmayr shop made up custom shotguns. Located in Los Angeles, Pachmayr catered to Hollywood's elite and was influenced by the West coast sensibilities and the custom shotguns by Pachmayr often reflect the trends and tastes of that time and place.

This gun is based on a No. 2 frame VH action with a total makeover and now features sideclips and fluted fences  that are in the "AH" style of Parker gun with the addition of false sideplates fitted to the back of the action. 

The whole of the action body and sideplates including the guard tang, top lever, forend iron, and long wedges of scroll over the breeches are engraved in a floral and vine pattern also in the "AH" style of Parker engraving with the "Parker Bros." is inlaid in gold on each side of the action and the serial number is inlaid in gold on the trigger guard's tang. The top lever is pierced in a scroll pattern. 

The action has an automatic safety and two triggers that gold plated and cast for the Left Hand shooter.

The 30" Vulcan steel barrels are choked Full and Full and still have their original machine matted concave rib with a single ivory bead at the muzzle. The top rib is roll marked "Parker Bros. Makers Meriden, CT USA" but where the type of barrel steel would normally be marked on the top rib of a Parker, "CUSTOM BY PACHMAYR" is inlaid in gold instead.

Frank Pachmayr also pioneered the market for California walnut as gunstocks and the stock blank on this custom Parker shotgun is classic Pachmayr wood. A Piece of highly figured California English walnut has light, honey colored base with dark boldly contrasting mineral lines in a marble cake pattern. As expected, the wood is expertly laid out for both strength and aesthetics and masterfully checkered and carved with fluer de lis, double beaded borders and a very sharp 28 LPI checkering. The stock has as 15" LOP over a red Pachmayr Olde English pad and a beavertail forend with matching figure, color, and checkering. 

The gun remains in excellent condition overall and shows no signs of use. This is a very nice example of Pachmayr's work on a Parker shotgun. 

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