Shooting Sportsman
 

The January-February issue has a great article on the history of the Parker Reproduction. The cover is gorgeous.

Edgar,

We discussed this a few weeks ago. http://parkerguns.org/forums/showthread.php?t=25908

Happy New Year,

Ken

I’m sorry for this obvious faux pas. I rarely read the repro threads.

Wonder if the article will drive up the market value of Repros. I’m thinking “maybe” in the short term but not so much long term. Thoughts?

Raising awareness never hurts. It’s not inconceivable that the article will draw a certain demographic to the fact a normal joe can acquire a small bore Parker in lieu of one of the Spanish guns and, without mortgaging the house. Further, one of the draws for the Repro, in my opinion, is that it’s a “safer bet” for many people. (ie: lesser chance of undetected “issues” regarding barrels or of “being had” by the shysters who spoil the fun). JMO, but I think history’s going to be kind to the Parker Reproduction. They’re great guns.

That was my first thought as well but how many people interested in doubles don’t already know about Parker’s Repros?

OK, here is the bottom line on small bore shotguns. Spanish guns have gone through the roof, #2 AYA 28 gauge guns selling for six grand unless you catch a motivated seller who is not keeping up with the market. A Repro 28 gauge can sell for that much, but with less interesting option packages, like 26" barrels and pistol grips, can be had for much less. I own both, but a good buy on a Repro is much more interesting to me. The Repro 28 gauge two barrel set, (forget finding a 28" one barrel set) at whatever price, is a much better buy than a $6000 AYA #2 28 gauge. Of course, a high condition #2 AYA at $4000 from an uninformed buyer may be just as good a deal. In years or months to come, favored combinations of Repros will be harder to find, and wood quality will be less, so now is the time to bite the bullet.

All I know is I am glad that I jumped on the opportunity to buy back the 28 ga 2-barrel set that I sold a few years ago. Never have thought the Spanish guns were worth the money - if one can find a Repro that is what they are looking for, it will be a much better buy than a Spanish gun.

[IMG]https://i.imgur.com/KPeRsSF.jpg[/IMG]

I ordered a Arrietta 871 16 gauge back in the late '80s. Beautiful gun and I shot it well but it probably never shot over 100 consecutive rounds. I know most have good luck with Spanish guns but for me "once bitten twice shy".

I think the Parker Repros are very, very nice guns for the money. There are a few things that is wish were different about them. I think they missed the market on not making enough double trigger guns (or possibly they don't come to market often). Most of the stocks are too short. Barrels are short for today's market. The 20's are fairly heavy, I had one and it was in excess of 6 1/2 lbs.

I always wished I would have gotten in on them early and tried to get custom stock deminsions. I did bid on the 20 gauge BHE 2 barrel set on Morphy's December auction. It was 14 3/4 inch straight stock, double triggers, splinter forend, 2 barrel set.