Future of Parker Collection and Double Gun Collecting

[Keavin Nelson]

As I wandered through the Baltimore antique arms show with my son, looking for the Parkers amoung the various tables, I asked my son what he thought the average age was at the show. 63 he guessed. I wouldn't debate that. At 30 he has a great appreciation for the old doubles, and has a Parker P grade 16 ga I put together for him. He also has an AR, and other more modern guns. Appreciation for finer things only comes with access and ability to own such. I think our generation will need to work hard to draw the next from the video sticks, and black guns to the finer traditions of Parkers, Foxes and LCs. Absent that, I am not sure the value will survive.

[Kensal Rise]

Originally Posted by keavin nelson

... Appreciation for finer things only comes with access and ability to own such. I think our generation will need to work hard to draw the next from the video sticks, and black guns to the finer traditions of Parkers, Foxes and LCs.

Keavin has swerved into a worthy thought here. But I do not necessarily agree that you must afford a good double to appreciate its character.

What helps a great deal in the realm of the double gun is an awareness that these things are not just guns. They are a unique confluence of form, function, craft and art. Their worth is intrinsic, not simply practical. The fine ones have a soul. If you doubt that, check the For Sale section of this forum and take a look at the Mortimer offered there.

This is what allows the SxS double gun to stand apart from a Remington 1100. Or even a Citori.

Ergo, the character and sophistication of a double gun must be presented to and appreciated by the young shooter as well.

Easy to say. I know...