Altering Repros, does it make a difference?

[Bill Murphy]

Funny color and not lined up. I said it was a nice gun, but.

[Pittypatdugan]

Each to their own but I think people are not ever going to replicate original case colors because the make up of the steel is different.i have three repros and the 28 gauge colors are different than the color of the two 20 gauge guns that seem way lighter even though not hardly used much. I think the repros have Crome in the steel and the old real Parkers dont.
Look how red the screws look in the re cased Repro

[ForrestArmstrong]

I think most Parker guys would think a DHE repro with properly muellered checkering borders, enhanced engraving, shellac stock finish and true case coloring would be an improvement over a factory DHE repro. Probably it would not be valued enough higher to cover the cost of the upgrades though. As long as repros are not considered highly collectible, I would have no problem doing this if it was what I wanted. Recoil pads and screw in choke tubes are another thing though, as functional as they may be. I pass completely whenever I see those for sale, same as a pre-war commercial Mauser sporter that has been drilled for scope bases. JMPOs.

[Setter Man]

I had the work done on the gun because that's the way I wanted it, not to increase the value. When I part with the gun (and I am going to list it within the next week or so) I will price it based on the value of the configuration: English stock, double triggers, beavertail forend, two-barrel set.

[Duckman]

These screws might pass muster.

[Duckman]

...but then these two are a little off. However, I think I will keep the guns and suffer with the knowledge that I have crooked screws. Probably not that hard to fix if I decide it's important.

[Sam Ogle]

I didn't alter a repro to increase it's price: I did it to make it fit better. There will be, in 50years or a hundred years, those who cherish the unaltered Repro's. There are fellows who right now, shudder at any changes. God Bess 'em.
But I want to shoot mine NOW, and if it's too long, I will shorten it. If 28 inch 28 gauge barrels are choked to the point of just past silly.....I will have them honed out to where they work for me. I won't quite go the "Elmer Fudd Blunderbuss" choking; but these are great guns I paid for, and I am going to enjoy them for as long as I live, and leave the
horrid fact I put a kick-eez pad on one to historians and collectors.
Sam Ogle, Lincoln, NE

[ForrestArmstrong]

This discussion occurs fairly often on www.accuratereloading.com, particularly relating to alterations on pre-war classic sporting rifles. People are always free to do whatever they wish with their guns and purists & collectors are free to disapprove. There was a guy recently who put a picatinny rail on his H&H double rifle. Whatever.

[Wild Skies]

I didn't realize that they discuss Parker Reproductions on accuratereloading.com.

[Sam Ogle]

I think Mr. Armstrong was just making the point that shooters vs collectors happens with other guns as well.
I once had an old trapshooter tell me: "You can't find a Parker single-barrel trap gun that hasn't had someone idiot change something on it." While the point was well taken, I also recall that this trapshooter traded constantly, because he refused to change a gun to fit him properly, so was constantly looking for the "one."
When he passed, lots of fellows assumed he had a closet of fine guns......not so. He had traded many times, but never got the gun which "fit."
So, I don't want to start a war of words here, but I will shorten a gun to fit me, then shoot it for a long time.......and let the heirs worry about unchanged authenticity.
They are a tool to me.....not a priceless, revered object not to be touched.
(Ducking now, going down in my hole like a prairie dog under fire.)
Sam