16 ga Trojan circa 1924

BRDHNTR · 10-16-2015, 02:02 PM

Today, I looked at a 1924 16 ga Trojan w/28" bbls choked full and full per the sales rep (I didn't have my gauge with me to confirm this). Gun is all original except for barrels having been blued at some point. Wood showed no cracks, dents or chips and would just need cleaning and perhaps refinishing. checkering still pretty crisp. tight as a drum but no colors remaining on the frame. Ser# 210401 - looked in the serialization book but unfortunately not there which seems to be the story of my life with Parkers I acquire or am interested in. Asking price is $850 but probably negotiable. Really would like to know more about this 16. Does full and full on 28 inch barrels seem like something parker would produce?

King Cobb · 10-16-2015, 02:47 PM

That would sound like a trojan.

Be careful if it has been reblued that it wasn't hot blued, that could mess up the rib.

any pics?

I would think for a reblued one you could get it for less than $850 if you wanted to really hunt, but that isn't a horrible price for a 16

BRDHNTR · 10-16-2015, 03:10 PM

No pictures Bill. I did look at the rib very closely and saw nothing visually that would've indicated it was anything but sound. I need another Parker like a hole in the head but I am partial to 16's as the classic grouse and woodcock gauge. I am mulling this one over and if I decide to pass on it, I'll post contact info for the gunshop

John Davis · 10-16-2015, 05:10 PM

I think that is a very good price, assuming you don't have to do anything major to it.

BRDHNTR · 10-16-2015, 05:15 PM

nothing major john. probably just clean up the wood. case could stand re-casing but that's not an urgent task.

BRDHNTR · 10-16-2015, 07:17 PM

I have a new S&W M&P 9 mm that I don't shoot (prefer my 1911) and a 1954 Ithaca Model 37 pump clean and all original that I made trade for this Trojan with a little cash if necessary. I do like 16's even if it's a Trojan and not a higher grade. I'm thinking that my oldest grandson can shoot the 16 ga when he steps up from the 20 ga Trojan he's going to inherit in a few years.

John E. Williams · 10-16-2015, 07:38 PM

My favorite Parker is a 1920 Trojan in 16 gauge with 26" barrels, moderately choked. It's as close to the perfect grouse and woodcock gun as I'm ever likely to get. With all that said, I'd agree that $850 sounds a bit steep for such a gun, but I'm basing that on broad personal perceptions of the current market and no photos of the particular gun. I'm mostly convinced here in late-middle age, that my dad was right when he would say, "the sixteen gauge is just about as close to perfect as you're gonna get."

King Cobb · 10-16-2015, 07:46 PM

As a dedicated follower of the 12, I don't have a 16 yet. My 12 ga trojan that is all original if a bit worn ran me 650 back in May.

JJ Roberts · 10-16-2015, 07:59 PM

Allen, I found a 16 ga. Trojan at local gun shop 20 years ago and restored it,it was a really sleeper at $200.Hope your able to purchase that Trojan. Any one ever hear of the 16 Gauge Society? J.J.

BRDHNTR · 10-16-2015, 08:01 PM

As best I could tell, the gun is all original. The wood is clear of and dents, cracks etc and shows no buildup of oil around the frame. screws are fine, barrels have been re-blued. no case colors remain on frame. barrels un cut at 28 inches. interior of barrels are clean, no pitting that I could discern. just need a good cleaning. Only thing I'd probably do is strip and refinish the stock and fore end. I'd have Brad B. re-case color a few years down the road when my oldest grandson is ready to start shooting and can handle stepping up from the 20 ga Trojan I have been holding for him that Brad lovingly restored for me awhile back. pics are of the 20 ga Trojan awaiting my grandson. But 16's rule or at least they did in William Harden Foster's day!