Buying Damascus Barreled guns

[Jay Oliver]

I just went through this again and I like several of the suggestions posted here(that I wished I had done). In the last 18 months I have bought 3 Damascus Parkers online. All 3 had issues:

Gun 1 - Either damaged after pictures or in shipping – The barrels had a dent on the breach end where it looked like they were dropped. Seller did not package well or insure even though I requested. He did not take the gun back but paid for repairs that made it better but not right.

Gun 2 - Bought on gunbroker and the gun was not as described. It had several issues and I think the ad said “nice bores” and there was a decent sized dent on the left barrel. Seller thought I was crazy and I was stuck with it.

Gun 3 - Received it yesterday and sent it back this morning. There were a total of 3 hairline cracks in the barrels and I felt it was not safe to shoot. You can see some pictures in the thread I posted in the Hammer Gun forum. I am glad I could return it, but the cracks in the barrels should have been listed they were hard to miss. I am still getting over this one…

So I am 0 for 3 in buying a Parker online, I should know better by now. I really like the idea of saying “I will only bid/buy if I have an inspection period and I will be looking for these types of condition issues/criteria…” The all sales are final, will make me run from now on as well.

I am not saying I won’t buy another one online, I am just burned out on disappointment. In that time frame I also bought a Damascus 12 gauge lifter from a PGCA member and everything was great. Follow the good advice you received in this thread and you’ll be fine. Jay