Parker Sample Gun

[GH-16]

The blue book is good for some basic Parker information, but in general it is almost worthless for pricing, it simply does not reflect current market conditions.

[Ron Scott]

Originally Posted by Paul Ehlers

The blue book is good for some basic Parker information, but in general it is almost worthless for pricing, it simply does not reflect current market conditions.

Someone said -- start with the value of the gun as if it was not a "mistake" gun -- so the same gun in terms of gauge, barrel length, grade, configuration, etc. then add on a premium for it's uniqueness and rarity.

You have to start somewhere -- if not the blue book, where? Gun sales sites only list the asking price and, as we all know that is not the same as the actual selling price.

If not the Blue Book, where does one go to determine a fair price?

[David Noble]

Originally Posted by Ronald Scott

If not the Blue Book, where does one go to determine a fair price?

What was the grade, gauge, configuration, barrel length, condition, originality?
What is the asking price on this gun?
All of the above must be known and factored in to determine the value.

If the gun is sparking your interest, determine what it's worth to you and go from there. Just don't pay more than you can afford, especially if you only buy it to make money reselling it. Others may not want it as bad as you do.

[Drew Hause]

The Remington salesman's samples are 1/2 way down here
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1...8/edit?tab=t.0

Parker samples are 1/3 down here
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1...c/edit?tab=t.0

[Ron Scott]

Originally Posted by Drew Hause

The Remington salesman's samples are 1/2 way down here
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1...8/edit?tab=t.0

Parker samples are 1/3 down here
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1...c/edit?tab=t.0

Amazing process -- and beautiful! I'm surprised damascus barrelled guns don't sell for a bigger premium.

[edgarspencer]

This is sounding very similar to a gun at RHO, where the same supposition was made. I was told about it well before Christmas, but haven't been there since Thanksgiving week.
Seems to me the logical thing to do would be to order a letter. If the gun was made for someone associated with Parker Bros, such as DuBray, it would certainly be in the books.
Personally it just sounds like a mistake gun. If I were a salesman trying to drum up some business, I'd feel better showing them a grade 5 gun, not a grade 2 gun.
I'd also be hard pressed to come up with a premium value. If it's priced as a grade 2, plus some little bit of 'Aunt Mary' money, and you want it, just buy it.

[Ron Scott]

Originally Posted by David Noble

What was the grade, gauge, configuration, barrel length, condition, originality?
What is the asking price on this gun?
All of the above must be known and factored in to determine the value.

If the gun is sparking your interest, determine what it's worth to you and go from there. Just don't pay more than you can afford, especially if you only buy it to make money reselling it. Others may not want it as bad as you do.

It's a GH 16 gauge, 26" barrels, nice wood, 80% or higher condition (I'm no expert but everything looks nice to include the case hardening). My old Blue Book says $6500, for a standard non-damascus gun.

Some of the comments above make me wonder if I wasn't clear -- this is a fully functional shotgun, not some pieces of barrel samples. I was told it was a "salesmen's gun" --a gun used by a Parker salesman to show customers the different damascus patterns. The Parker Story says that they did make "Salesmen's guns" or "Sample guns" (Vol II, p 598) but they were all lifter-action guns. This gun is a top lever so based on the book it's not a "salesman's gun."

Dean thinks it's a mistake that they used two different damascus patterns (maybe 3, because I think the rib is different too) but that doesn't totally make sense to me. I know they don't finish the damascus barrels until late in the manufacturing process but ... why would they let the gun go out the factory doors with such an obvious mistake?

[Dean Romig]

Originally Posted by Ronald Scott

Dean thinks it's a mistake that they used two different damascus patterns (maybe 3, because I think the rib is different too) but that doesn't totally make sense to me. I know they don't finish the damascus barrels until late in the manufacturing process but ... why would they let the gun go out the factory doors with such an obvious mistake?

They had already invested hours into producing the gun so why would they scrap those barrels and start all over again? Parker Bros. was a very cost conscious company so they cut their losses and sold it at a discount. As you say, it is a perfectly functioning gun…

Buyers weren’t collectors back then, they just wanted a decent Parker that they could shoot.





.