First Parker Purchase and now I'm scared I messed up

[Fishtail]

The good news is you can have it restocked and the barrels redone and the receiver restored and then the gun will be worth $1700.

[B. Dudley]

The buttstock on the gun MAY be original. But it has at least for sure been crudely altered, refinished and incorrectly checkered. It is hard to tell from the photos if the frame has been blued at one time or not. And there looks to be some questionable things happen ring around the rib extension, like some past buffing or rounding of edges.

As some have previously stated, your fears are correct in that you paid a lot more than the gun is actually worth in its current state.

That "R" stamp next to the OV is very interesting.

[Bob Hardison]

Stephanie: I'm 69 and still paying too much for Parkershttp://parkerguns.org/forums/images/smilies/bigcry.gif My opinion is any Parker will always be worth something. The good news is that you could not find a better place to locate knowledgeable, kind and helpful people. Your granddaddy will certainly be proud! Regards, Bob

[C grade]

Stephanie
I live in Georgetown SC and am at Backwoods Quail Club shooting every week. If you would like to come up ,I would be happy to inspect the Parker for you.
David Dwyer

[J.B. Books]

Stephanie, cost and value are not the same. You may have overpaid for a Trojan 12 in that condition but the fact you bought it for your grandfather is in my opinion pretty darn special and bordering priceless. I suspect your grandfather will be thrilled to receive such a thoughtful gift from a grand daughter. If I were you I would have the gun evaluated for functionality, have anything mechanical needing repair fixed and not try to make it something it is not by spending a good deal more money on it's refurbishment. I suspect your grandfather will treasure the gun more than anything because it is a gift from you. If I were in his shoes the value of it would be priceless for that reason and I would never sell it. If you want to buy a "better" Parker for him someday, visit this website, watch the for sale section, and ask the group questions.

[Fishtail]

I didn't mean my comment as a mean comment but as a statement about the joys of gun ownership...

[Stephanie Murray]

Thank you so much for ALL of your replies! I value honesty! Mr. Fishtail, your post wasn't mean at all. I know boats and saltwater fishing. I know boat, tackle and gear information and values. Not guns - obviously. My granddaddy will treasure this gun until the day he dies. He's 84 and still using a climbing tree stand - most of the time. My mom was his bird dog growing up and then he had me. I took over his fishing passion more than hunting. I plan on contacting Mr. C Grade and taking it to him for inspection. I can't thank you all enough. One day, I know I will lose my precious Grandfather and this gun will come back to stay with me. I would just like for him to safely and happily fire it as much as he wants and enjoy owning a brand of gun he has wanted for the longest time. I was probably 6 or 7 and we were looking for arrowheads after the fields were plowed when I first remember him mentioning it. I'm sure you fellas are of just the same caliber! Here are a few more pics I took this afternoon. One is of the dents that don't appear to involve the inside of the barrels. Another is of 2 other markings that I assume are from an inspector? I tried to get another one of the CV mark - maybe it is really an OV. And one from Christmas of me and my Granddaddy

[Autumn Daze]

Steph(If I may call you that) The JG marking is the inspectors mark for Jim Geary. Parker Bros. barrel forman. It is seen quite often on guns of that era. The other mark is in fact "OV" and this designates the barrels as the correct ones for a Trojan grade gun.Also .....you would do well to have Mr. C Grade look the "Ol girl" over for you. He will give you an honest opinion.

If I was your grandad I would cherish the gun.

[Dean Romig]

Stephanie, it's plain to see from that picture you're a real sweetheart to love your ol' Grandaddy so much.

The stamp is actually the Trojan "OV" stamp. We have other examples of chipped or broken stamping dies leaving incomplete letters or numbers on Parker barrels and frames - some to the point that the original letter or number is unrecognizable as the stamp it was intended to be. But, rest assured, it definitely is the "OV" stamp indicating Trojan Steel barrels.

[B. Dudley]

The dents in the barrels should be able to be taken care of by any competent gunsmith with the proper tools that works on double guns. After That, along with a good inspection, the gun would likely be a good shooter again.

Regarding the OV stamp. You will also find a corresponding OV stamp on the water table of the gun, along with the serial number.