Quote:
Originally Posted by Andrew Sacco
Welcome Buck. I am going to go out there and say spending the $300-400 on The Parker Story will give you more information than you can digest and it's an invaluable reference if you're looking to spend big money on these guns. Also I would highly recommend the serialization book, the best $35 you will spend.
With two kids in college I'm relegated to "shooters" for the next number of years. I bought a 16g GH which I made a mistake on, the replacement stock and bluing/case coloring are not correct. Hence I'm throwing good money after bad and having Brian Dudley try to make her correct. My mistake is several thousand, not many like a 28g. The dream gun for me is a nicely kept but original 16g DHE as my grouse gun. Some day. Enjoy the forum, the folks are great and the research is half the fun. I'm just starting the second volume of The Parker Story, it's all fascinating. Oh, you will own many more than one, just to prepare you. They're fun as hell to shoot. I find the learning curve very steep to spot originality and correct alterations/modifications but that's half the fun.
|
Hello Andy. I would love to spend the money on the Parker Story vols1/2 for two reasons. First - to educate myself on Parkers, Second - I am a collector of books (e.g. history, guns, and religious). I have already taken steps to begin this process by purchasing the serialization book ($35) that you mentioned. I know I have volumes to read on Parkers, but I've made a good start with read books from Doug Stewart (The Traditional Side by Side), Peter H. Johnson (Parker America's finest Shotgun), and Michael McIntosh (Best Guns). I've also reviewed information in the Blue Book of Gun values. I have more on the way (again, my love of books and of course my love of research) from Larry Baer (The Parker Gun Immortal American Classic), and Michael McIntosh (More Shotguns and Shooting).
My collection and love of Shotguns may be a bit different than most here perhaps. As I don't desire a one make collection, but those that represent an era of time from many manufactures. I have a Marocchi, Franchi, Remington, Ithaca, and more recently an Arrieta. Thus far my favorite are the Spanish Best (Terry Wieland), but that could change as I am an American FIRST and love my country - even with all the bumps and bruises like most countries. So the Parker piece of my collection is my Lord of the Rings Bilbo Baggins "I'm going on an adventure!" scene. Spending this time reading, researching and asking highly astute members of this organization, I hope to find my 28 gauge. I also am trying to vary my gauge acquisitions as well. I love to reload and adding another reloader or adaptable component to the bench would suit me just fine.
As stated in my opening remarks when I joined, I am FINALLY an empty nester. We've raised 4 kids and put them through parochial schools and college (last one is finishing up soon). My disposable income just whacked me in the face and now I have time to enjoy my passion for guns.
My father, who past three years ago, was an avid collector of guns. He didn't hunt, he didn't shoot much competitively, but he was a master mechanical engineer for some 45 years. He was fascinated with the mechanics of guns. Many of hours I spent with him on the bench in the basement as he was fixing many guns that people bought or neglected to care for. When he passed (God rest is soul), I didn't feel right to liquidate his collection for money. I kept a few gems that I will always cherish, but he would of approved of my strategy of selling the guns he enjoyed (mostly handguns) and use that money to invest in my passion, which are shotguns.
For collecting shotguns, I don't want wall hangers, but want to actually enjoy and shoot them. I'd be wary of firing these old early Parkers for safety reasons. I've read many of posts in this forum about cautionary elements of firing these gems. Even though they are deemed 'An old reliable'. I plan on using low pressure and lighter loads (3/4 or 1oz) to fire them, but I do want to shoot them. I love the after care after shooting them as well. Oh the smell of gun oil definitely sets off the testosterone.
I hope to make many friends in here. I'm sorry for the long verbose storyline here, but sometimes understanding the context of where folks are at can help bunches. I want to start out slow; perhaps buy a Repro, then consider others. Thank you so much gentlemen. I look forward to your advice and direction. God Bless
Buck