Parker VH grade with Vulcan Steel barrel, safe with modern lead loads?

[MacTech]

One of my favorite shotties, my..... <Gollum> Precious! </Gollum> if you will, is a family heirloom Parker VH grade side-by-side with splinter fore-end, it's an absolutely gorgeous gun, the case hardening colors are easily 95-98% of new, all serial numbers match, the only flaws are a repaired crack in the splinter front end, and a couple minor pitting spots from corrosion where *someone* handled the gun and neglected to clean it properly, the gun's been in the family for at least four generations

Overall condition I'd put at 90-95% taking into account the pitting and cracked splinter fore-end

Anyway, I'm wondering if this gun would be safe with modern trap/birdshot loads, yes, I know I need to have it evaluated by a competent gunsmith, but all I'm looking for is a rough guideline, is a 95%+ Parker VH series safe to shoot with current light loads, and how heavy could I go *safely* shotshell-wise, I know 3" shells are out, as are steel shot shells, what's the upper limit this gun could take, what would be the safest limit?

Oh, and even without a recoil pad, this is one smoooooth shooting shotgun

I'll try to get pics at some point, it's just difficult to accurately show the depth of the case hardening colors, flash photography washes it out, some outdoor pics under overcast lighting are perhaps in order here

 

[farscott]

I shot my VHE well into the late 1990s with lead shot loads. Assuming the gun is a true 95% sample, there should be no issue shooting lead shot. I would stay away from International trap and pigeon loads as they contain the hardest lead shot. But every other lead load in moderation should be fine.

 

[oneounceload]

Several gents I shoot with shoot vintage Parkers made anywhere between 1905 and 1929 with standard loads or lighters. Make sure it is a 2-3/4 " chamber (realizing that a 2-3/4" shell WILL fit in a 2-1/2 or 2-9/16 chamber). If you want, RST, Polywad and others sell low-pressure loads for older guns

And, in reality, this gorgeous gun DOES NOT EXIST WITHOUT PICTURES!

 

[Dave McCracken]

The oldest Parker that I've shot that I've known the date on was made in 1901. Chambers had been lengthened to 2 3/4". As with all shotguns made before WWII, a visit to Mr Gunsmith is in order.

No mag loads, no slugs, no non toxics except bismuth.....

 

[MacTech]

As requested, pics of "My Precious", try not to drool too much

The case hardening colors on the receiver are extremely hard to reproduce with a digital image

 

[oneounceload]

VERY nice and the wood is still proud enough if you to refinish the stock (why they made it that way). Hard to believe the C.C. is original - that thing must have sat quietly for quite some time. VERY NICE!

 

[Tom Held]

Pigeon Loads and the Parker

I would not be concerned about shooting heavy loads in your VH. I've shot pigeon loads in my VH with no problem. If the guns is tight it will handle 3 1/4 dram loads easily but your teeth and shoulder might not. It's not a very forgiving gun with those loads. Nice old gun. I wouldn't do anything with it but shoot it often.