Value of my Parker

[Jeff Smith]

I've got a 1930 Parker 16 guage, frame size 1, weight 3g, grade v, steel Vulcan, top lever, with shell extractors. This gun was purchased by my grandfather and given to me. There is no rust or pitting, original blueing, no cracks in stock, slight blueing wear on ends of barrel and some wear on wood near triggers. I have taken some pictures and would like to get an idea of value.
Jeff Smith

[Rick Losey]

Welcome

hmm

according to the book, it was a 12, (the book has been wrong)

are the barrels 30"? And it should have a ball (rounded grip) can you post a picture of that?

[Jeff Smith]

Barrels measure 26" imp. and mod. I attached two pics of grip

[paul stafford jr]

it looks like a #2 stamped on the barrel lug?

[Dean Romig]

First picture definitely shows a 16 and a 1.

[Jeff Smith]

correct I looked again it's 16 and a 1

[Jeff Smith]

Not sure if I'm going about this wrong, but I've gotten some questions but no indication of value? Am I in the wrong forum? Depending on the approximate value I want to sell this gun. I'm getting up in years and have no one to leave this to. HELP!
Thanks

[Mark Ouellette]

Jeff,

Please know that you must be a PGCA member to sell your gun using this forum. Now you haven't even decided to sell it yet but one thing leads to another...

As for value. most will not value a gun unless it is in their hands for examination. The barrels are 26" which seem a little short for a #1 frame 16 gauge. If the barrels have been cut the value in most cases is half of what it would be if original. Also a #1 frame is a heavy 16 gauge and not as desirable as the lighter #0 frame guns in the same gauge. What do the choke constrictions measure? What is the minimum barrel wall thickness? Are the bores smooth and shiny or pitted? Are the barrels tight on the action with the forend removed, i.e. "on face". As for value from what I can see in your photos, $500 to $2000 depending on answers to my questions and other factors.

If you decide to sell your Parker the forum has a member's section with For Sale and Wanted to Buy sections. The cost of membership is $40 per year and includes a subscription to the quarterly magazine PARKER PAGES.

Mark

[Jeff Smith]

Thanks Mark that was what I was looking for. Based on your questions I would guess that I will fall in the upper price range. If I join how does one go about getting a gun in folks hands to get the value determined and is this a gun that would interest collectors.
Thanks, Jeff

[Mark Ouellette]

Hi Jeff,

Please do not be surprised if your Parker falls in the middle of that price range.

Obtaining a valuation of your Parker is best done face-to-face. To do this please notice that I and many others note their state of residence on their Member info to the left of our posts. If you list your state maybe someone will contact you. Otherwise, post your city and state and request to meet local members.

Another way to learn about the world of side by sides and specifically Parkers is to attend SxS shoots. These are informal events where few worry much about their scores. Rather they appreciate meeting like minded collectors and seeing other guns.

Mark

[Dennis V. Nix]

Not to get off thread here but I have a question. If as O. H. Osthaus said, "The book has been wrong.", and it is really a 16 gauge but the book says it is a 12 gauge, what would a factory letter say? Would the factory letter also say the gun is a 12 gauge or does the information come from 2 different sources. I am just curious.

Dennis

[Rick Losey]

the best way to tell is to get a letter.

the letter may well confirm it was originally a 12, or show it was a 16 and the book had a translation error.

i do not know if there are records of guns having been rebarreled by Remington. but I think that can best be determined by the repair codes on the barrel flats.

[Dean Romig]

Remington codes do not indicate what repair was done - only the date.

[Bill Murphy]

Your gun's original work order is in the PGCA research files. Go to the Home Page and click on the link of work order numbers to learn what this is all about. Matching a gun up with its original work order is an uncommon event. You can even purchase the original work order card from PGCA. Let us know how your search progresses.