First Parker - what do I have - Value?

[JACQUES R LACLAIR]

Hello all - hope all is well in your world.
New to this forum as I just obtained my first Parker shotgun.
Just wondering if it is correct or altered, it's value if any.
I believe it is a VH grade. Checked serial # and is a 1902.
Please see photos, any info is greatly appreciated.

[Mills]

Looks like a VH 12 gauge

[David Noble]

Originally Posted by JACQUES R LACLAIR

Hello all - hope all is well in your world.
New to this forum as I just obtained my first Parker shotgun.
Just wondering if it is correct or altered, it's value if any.

Jacques, congrats on your first Parker! You didn't say if it was passed down to you from a friend or family member, or if you purchased it but either way it will likely be a good shooter and give you some good times.
As far as being correct or altered, It has had some changes to it as most of these guns have over time. I cannot tell from your photos if the stock is original to the gun but if it is, it has altered in the grip area and recheckered. The grip looks like it has been thinned down. The checkered cheeks are not correct for the gun either, but these changes were likely done to suit a previous owner and will likely not have a major impact on it's handling. The barrels have been refinished and it might be wise to have them checked by a good gunsmith to assure the integrity of the solder joints of the ribs, forend lug etc. They've also been shortened some from original length. Your gunsmith could tell you the current constriction (choke) if any.
All in all I think you can use it to learn about the mystique of Parker ownership, shooting, and collecting. It may be your first Parker but likely will not be your last. Enjoy it!

[B. Dudley]

Correct on all points Dave. Non original checkered cheeks and hot blued barrels that are also cut. Something looks off about the toe of the buttplate to me as well.
Its value is at the lower end of what one may expect to see for a VH 12g.

[JACQUES R LACLAIR]

Well that stinks - that takes the wind out of my sails -
but thanks fellas for the replies.
I've read that they were made with 28 inch barrels is this wrong?
What makes you think the barrels were cut off? I've seen 4 others
online with the same white barrel bead.

Anyone care to give a ballpark on it's value.

[B. Dudley]

They were made in various barrel lengths. Not just 28”. This one was likely 30” cut down to 28” in a shade-tree way to open up the choke.

The look of the muzzle and the rib matting termination makes it clear that they have been cut. The bead is not standard. A smaller nickel-silver bead would be standard on Parkers.

[winplumber]

Your gun should have 30in barrels per the Parker serialization book , Also you should have a blank spot where the barrel matting ends on the muzzle your matting goes all the way to the end .

[David C Porter]

Wood refinished, non standared checkering added, reblued barrels (looks like hot blue) & barrels have been cut.

[Andy]

Wind should not be out of your sails. Half of the fun is learning about these fantastic guns. I have some that are very far from perfect and they make bullet proof fine field guns. I made a mistake a year ago and I have a choice to sell it, make it more "correct" or leave it as is. The very smart thing is NOT to put more money into it, which is exactly what I'm going to do because, well, that's what these guns do to you. Enjoy and shoot it. Join the PCGA and buy the serialization book, that roughly $75 investment will save you potentially thousands in mistakes. It won't be your last Parker.

[charlie cleveland]

the value of your gun in my guess would be750 to1000......charlie