1902 Parker VH plus Family heirloom

[Richard McCarter/MacMarine]

Hello fellow members ; An old family heirloom from the gun cabinet ... I'm attempting to figure a fairly accurate price range for this (Parker Factory?) upgraded beauty. It has been professionally blued all over, gold triggers, and about 1/8" cut off the end of the 30" barrels and a small pin ding in one barrel. The general appearance is Factory New and I like it the way it is. Everyone I could ask has passed on so this is a mystery item. This will be posted as a topic for all to view and for opinions. ALSO Click On My Name for "MY PROFILE" with 16 pics. Thanks Much ; RM

[B. Dudley]

I viewed your pictures. The gun has been completely and very incorrectly refinished. I do not want to go into all that is wrong with the gun and just address the question you asked about value. Maybe $500 to the right person and no more.

I woild have serious concerns aboit the integrity of the barrels since everything looks like it was hot blued.

[Austin J Hawthorne Jr.]

What a shame.

[Kensal Rise]

Richard:
Dispair not. The value in this gun resides in it being a part of your family. Not in it being a showroom perfect example of an original Parker VH. If you have pride in and fond memories of this gun, treasure it. Its value is great to you.

Otherwise, the major issues with this gun stem from its metal "restoration" which appears like many done in the '60s or '70s. It can be put back to "right" but that will take money. And why spend funds to erase any heirloom value it has?

Outside of the added pad, the stock isn't too bad.

Best course is to take it to a responsible double gunsmith and have it inspected for safety, especially the barrels. If it proves good to go, I'd simply shoot and enjoy it as-is.

And thanks for joining PGCA. You will learn much here. You already own a piece of Parker history.

[Pittypatdugan]

I had a VH 16 that had the barells
hot blued and it shot fine for a while
maybe 250 shells and the top rib came loose. That means both ribs have to be relaid correctly and rust blued as the hot blue process ruined
my barells

[Richard McCarter/MacMarine]

Hello again and Thank You to the few responses to date. I was not looking for pity on this item. I am parsing out old family guns on 2 sites as MacMarine. I do prefer accuracy and honesty so wanted to know more about this. Admittedly I did have higher hopes with this one but had suspicions that it looked too good to be true. My dad and uncle were the big gun collectors. He probably picked this up as is from an old farmer on his Insurance Route. My job was slugging through the brush with the old Ithaca and the good ol' huntin' dog for small game. They begged me hard enough to go hunting Once after returning from Nam in '70. I Still enjoy tagging the occasional groundhog or starling but that's it. So at 68 these will hopefully never be needed. I did have a classic double gun dealer here to look things over and he has, to date, accurately offered half of realized value for each gun. Guess I should warn him about this one for which he offered 1000. Presumably I did fight for everyone's right to an opinion. In the end, it's worth whatever it goes for and a general range has been established ... Thanks again ; RM

[B. Dudley]

If he offered $1,000 for it, then take it and run home.

[Fishtail]

I'm not for taking advantage of anyone but if he's a classic doubles dealer and he wants it for $1000.....as already said..... take it.

[J. A. EARLY]

"I did have a classic double gun dealer here to look things over and he has, to date, accurately offered half of realized value for each gun. Guess I should warn him about this one for which he offered 1000."

He has probably bought enough guns at $0.25 on the dollar so let him have it for $1000. Sounds like he has a sucker lined up already.

[todd allen]

If the gun checks out, and would become a "shooter", I would want to tone down the finish on the receiver a bit.