Old Beauty - too pretty?
 

As a new member I have a question:

When is it time to officially retire a beauty or to just go and hunt with it? I live on a Texas Gulf beach. Humidity stays above 80%.

I’ll share my Parker’s pedigree and some photos.

12 ga DHE, a 1985 appraisal from Collectors Firearms (Houston) listed it as having all original: 98% varnish, 95% bluing, 90% case colors.

I put it my closet where it has been for the past 33 years.
I duck hunted salt marshes with a Mossberg 500 instead.

I welcome your comments. Is this a common dilemma?

Wow! What a gun! Wipe it down occasionally with something like RIG, and enjoy shooting it

A special gun for special occasions that are controlled (good weather, a slip on stock sleeve, hard cased to the hunting site, etc.). There are tons of Trojans and VHs that will do if you want to shoot a Parker. Just my 2 cents.

It appears that Collectors Firearms appraisal of your Parker's condition was about spot on. It is a very nice example of a 1920's - early 30's DHE.





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WOW!!! That is a special Parker. I have faced that same decision. Everyones situation is unique, but in my case I sold my guns like that and put some of the $$ in more shootable guns. I will never forget taking a high grade, AHE, small ga, 28ga, out of the safe one morning and finding some rust. I sold it and purchased an nice VH 28ga that I shoot regularly with no fear. JMHO
David

Very nice Parker! It was 905 guns earlier than my 12 gauge DHE.

Gorgeous gun. Wow. I'd get some IBIZ carnuba wax and wax the metal up good and shoot it.

Yes, that is a beauty! It's okay to use it, just use it very carefully. Doves,targets, and maybe poultry shoots.

I appreciate all the comments and advice. I did put gun oil on the metal surfaces after taking photos. It was dry in the photos. It shines like a new penny.

It was a gift from my mother-in-law. She had earlier given me and another son in law identical FN 98 Mauser's still packed in cosmoline. I cleaned mine up and still hunt with it. He pawned his within a month for $50. She then gave me the Parker. He never got one. It was her way of testing.

I have two daughters with fine husbands, but they are not appreciative of the fine workmanship this firearm represents. I did give them both "test" rifles a while back and they still have them.

I'm new to forums in general. Bear with me because I do not know all the rules and etiquette.

Scott - here is a good tutorial on PGCA Forum use and appropriate etiquette.

http://parkerguns.org/forums/showthread.php?t=9841

Best, Dean





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