New member with 12 Gauge Parker - 1883

[Jim Morris]

New Member
My Great-Grandfather received this Parker Shotgun as a gift. When he died in 1913 the gun went to my grandfather. He died in 1959 and my grandmother gave me the gun in 1966. It was obviously used a lot. It has been stored in a gun bag all these years and has not had poroper care. Can someome suggest a reputable person in the Florida area for restoration/clean up for presentation.

Details are: Serial number=31223, Quality Code D2, Grade G (?), Top action, Capped pistol grip, 12 gauge, 30 inch barrel, Damascus Steel, Frame size 2, manufactured 1883.

Also what value would this gun have for insurance?

Thanks for your help.

[Big Friend Ten (BFT)]

Hi Jim,

Welcome aboard! You get about three gold stars for providing the serial number, details, and pretty good photos!

First, the gun looks like it's off face. There is considerable light between the breach face and the face of the barrels. Are the barrels loose on the action with the forend removed? This repair will be $300 or more.

What is the value? That's tough to say without the gun in hand. The gun does look to be in decent shape other than the aforementioned problem. Are the bores smooth and shiney? Is the stock without cracks? Are the ribs tight to the barrels? Assuming that the gun has no other problems value could be between $750 and $1500. Maybe less, maybe more... I like the old engraving with the big woodcock.

The market is down presently but it will come back up when the economy improves.

For what's it's worth,
Mark

[Craig Parker]

Jim,
What a Great family gun, are you looking to use as a shooter or just to display.

Craig

[George M. Purtill Member #28]

That is a great gun that someone loved.
You have joined a great organization and our benefits include being able to order a letter at a low price. Get one as that vintage gun will probably have order information.

[Jim Morris]

Thanks for the great response. Mark. Yes, the barrel does seem loose with the forend removed. However I do not plan to shoot the gun so I would probably not repair that. I would only consider this for display at home. The bores are not shiny and the stock is solid.
Should I have it restored for display or just leave it alone?
Jim

[Jim Morris]

George,
Thank you for your comments.
I am not sure what you mean "Order a letter at a low price"?
Sorry but I am new to this.
Jim

[OH Osthaus]

Jim
If you are not shooting it, cleaning it beyond a little oiling to prevent rust will just remove history. but if you search on "cleaning" you'l find threads like these

http://parkerguns.org/forums/showthread.php?t=8742

http://parkerguns.org/forums/showthread.php?t=7748


I think George is stating that a PGCA member gets a research letter for less than a forum member, the combination of a years dues and the letter is less than the cost of a just a letter to nonmembers

[George M. Purtill Member #28]

Order a factory letter.
Go to our website and click on research letters. read it.
print and fill out the form and send it in with $40.

I would not "RESTORE" it at all. Light cleaning is all it needs.
Best to do no harm.

[Big Friend Ten (BFT)]

Jim,

As a family heirloom your gun is great! Most of us do not have a family Parker.

Restoration on a lower grade Parker is a financially losing venture. It will however give you an object of beauty to treasure. Here are photos of a Grade 2 "G" with the metal restored. The decision is up to you.

Many of us only have the Damascus barrels refinished on these old guns. That is acceptable and costs about $400 depending on the condition of the barrels.

[Jim Morris]

Mark,
Thanks to you and the other folks who offered excellent advice. I think I will clean it up with gun oil and elbow grease and leave it as is. Then I will pass it down the line to my son. It is nice to have a piece of family history that has been around for 130 years.

You guys have put together a nice forum. I appreciate your experience and your generous help.
Regards,
Jim