8 gauge production numbers and grades

TARNATION !!! · 06-23-2025, 10:43 AM

I am curious how many 8 ga Parkers were built and in what grades. Anyone know?
Thanks
Jack

6pt-Sika · 06-23-2025, 11:10 AM

You can get a decent idea from The Parker Story .

TARNATION !!! · 06-23-2025, 11:20 AM

Unfortunately I sold all my reference material, including the Parker Story. Also all guns went to consignment. 34 of 39 Parker’s sold. Variety of other interesting doubles have sold and some remain. Life circumstances dictated this rather drastic action. But I’m still green side of the grass, so that’s good. 😊

Randy Roberts · 06-23-2025, 11:55 AM

Chart from TPS attached. You'd need to go through the grades section by grade I believe to get a production estimate by grade.

TARNATION !!! · 06-23-2025, 12:14 PM

Thanks Randy. A mere 389 built over a span of 40 years.

Craig Larter · 06-23-2025, 06:59 PM

Here is a tally for 8g hammerless guns I did for an article.

Craig Larter · 06-23-2025, 07:36 PM

You may want to check out my closed Facebook Group-8 Gauge Shotgun Shooters and Collectors

https://www.facebook.com/groups/486961669421911

TARNATION !!! · 03-09-2026, 08:52 PM

Do we have a count of 8 gauge Parker’s made with ejectors? I note in the hammerless chart above there are none shown with an E designation. Thanks
Jack

ArtS · 03-10-2026, 10:03 AM

I find the first chart interesting. While a lot of things affect pricing (grade, production numbers, condition etc) it appears to me that the Parker 8 gauges are one of the best buys within the collectors market. There were fewer total 8 gauges made than either 28 or 410 gauge guns, yet my impression of watching sales over the last couple of years is that the 28 and 410 easily bring higher prices than the 8. Probably more higher grade smaller bores and maybe higher condition on average, but at the tiny end of production I have to think that the useability is playing a big part in the pricing. From a true collector standpoint this shouldn't be true. I have seen the same thing with rare variations. What is percieved to be useful trumps rarity. Currently longer barrels currently bring a big premium over rare combinations. A gun made in an odd short barrel length with only 4 or 5 made generally carries no premium over an equivalent condition common length. With the exception of the very top tier guns, it seems that rarity is not really as big an issue in price as personal desirability.

6pt-Sika · 03-10-2026, 01:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Arthur Shaffer

I find the first chart interesting. While a lot of things affect pricing (grade, production numbers, condition etc) it appears to me that the Parker 8 gauges are one of the best buys within the collectors market. There were fewer total 8 gauges made than either 28 or 410 gauge guns, yet my impression of watching sales over the last couple of years is that the 28 and 410 easily bring higher prices than the 8. Probably more higher grade smaller bores and maybe higher condition on average, but at the tiny end of production I have to think that the useability is playing a big part in the pricing. From a true collector standpoint this shouldn't be true. I have seen the same thing with rare variations. What is percieved to be useful trumps rarity. Currently longer barrels currently bring a big premium over rare combinations. A gun made in an odd short barrel length with only 4 or 5 made generally carries no premium over an equivalent condition common length. With the exception of the very top tier guns, it seems that rarity is not really as big an issue in price as personal desirability.

I think Bernie’s accumulation hitting the market a year or two ago softened the howitzer market .