Collecting In Difficult Times

[Bruce Day]

These are difficult economic times for many, and I hear such discussions when Parker people and vintage shotgun people gather. While we like to display the rare, unusual and costly guns, there are many serviceable and fine shooting Parkers and collectibles that are not costly and within reach of many enthusiasts. I don't know of a single collector of high grade guns that looks down his nose at the base grade guns in terms of serviceability, in fact, many that I know leave the high grade guns in the rack and reach for the V's and G's when they go hunting.

Photos 1-3 show a damascus GHE 12ga and a fluid steel PHE 16ga. A person might be able to buy one of these that needs cosmetic work for under $2000 and $3000 respectively. Look for one that is mechanically sound, not cobbled together and needs barrel refinishing and maybe a little steaming to remove gouges and maybe you can do some gentle refinishing on your own. With these, or other low grade Parkers, such as a pair of V grades in 12 and 20, a person can shoot anything, upland game or waterfowl, and it will gain in value. These are all you really need and you are a Parker collector.