12 gauge Parker shotguns

[J.B. Books]

Originally Posted by Mike Koneski

Pete, we did a survey of PGCA membership a few years ago to be able to answer questions from prospective advertisers for Parker Pages. Predictably, the largest age group was in the 60-70 year old range. The younger age groups were growing but nowhere near the 60-70 demographic.

Can you define a few years ago into a number?

[Mike of the Mountain]

Originally Posted by Pete Lester

Can you define a few years ago into a number?

The survey was completed and published December 2022.

Ian, the major demographics are still 61-70 and over 70. Both at 34.5%. The results are on this site.

[Chris Pope]

I suspect other guages have become more popular as opposed to people not liking the 12. The old guys I grew up hunting with told me to stick with the 12 because you can almost always find a box of 12's at a hardware store. Now most sporting goods store and on-line services offer most all guages. And yes many gauges are expensive.
Because I knew better than the old guys, I bought a BPS 10 gauge when I was young. Sure enough I forgot to pack my ammo on the way to a goose/duck trip in upstate NY. Had to drive 45 mins to a mom and pop hardware store in Greenwich (I think) to find a box of 10's. Had to shell out almost $40 for the box.

[John Allen]

The slow down in 12 gauge sales is really the result of two things in my opinion. One is as Brian said,there are just a lot more 12s out there than small gauge guns. High supply means lower price. The 2nd cause is the improvement in small bore ammo. Within reason, a 20 can do almost anything a 12 can do in most hunting situations. That said,there are some great buys out there in 12 gauge guns right now.

[6pt-Sika]

Originally Posted by John Allen

The slow down in 12 gauge sales is really the result of two things in my opinion. One is as Brian said,there are just a lot more 12s out there than small gauge guns. High supply means lower price. The 2nd cause is the improvement in small bore ammo. Within reason, a 20 can do almost anything a 12 can do in most hunting situations. That said,there are some great buys out there in 12 gauge guns right now.

You recently had a DH 12 gauge 2 frame 32” safety delete gun I bought off a dealer in the Pacific NW I think 4 or 5 years ago . I sold it to someone in PA two years ago I believe who later sold it to someone else who saw fit to open the chokes . When I had it the gun 38 or 39 points in both barrels . I think when you sold it they’d been opened IC/IM . Someone before you got it in their infinite wisdom messed up a damn good sporting/box bird/Colombaire gun oh yeah the price you finally let that gun go for was just a skoosh over 2/3rds what I had in it and sold it for .

[24 grams]

Small gauges have become cool over the past couple of decades.
Most don’t realize the value in light, well-made English 12 bores, which shoot marvelously and feel wonderful between the hands.
In many upland fields, it seems a badge of honor to be shooting a 28 gauge or a .410, but those are toys (albeit beautiful ones) which, in my mind, are not worth the trade-off.
I want a gun that I can shoot! And for me, in the field I want something between 28 and 30 inches and between 6 and 7 pounds that points and balances well enough that you don’t even know it becomes a part of you.
There a plenty of 12s that fit that bill.
I prefer 16s as the most versatile gauge of them all, but I still love a good 12.

[mobirdhunter]

So buy a 12 now, and enjoy the value, and its versatility. If you want to sell, know you likely won’t make money on the deal.

[Bill Murphy]

It's hard to find an AHE 32" Parker or a Whitworth Steel Purdey hammer pigeon gun in anything but 12 gauge. It's all in what you're looking for. Little sub bore bird guns get tiring when shooting box birds or competitive sporting clays. I won't be selling my 12 gauges any time soon.

[Pat Boccuzzi]

I'll take a Parker especially high grade 12 bore In a 1/2 frame or a 12 bore 1 frame parker , you can shoot 12,16 and 1 frame 20 bore.

[Craig Larter]

No question the market for small bore Parkers keeps accelerating, just look at the asking prices of major dealers and auction results from top auction houses. They must be selling to someone. 12ga above C grade also bring strong prices if in original condition. The lack of supply of 12 ga C grade and above keeps prices strong and growing. 12ga in grades 0,1,2, are dogs in the market unless in very high condition. As many have stated it's just supply and demand. The internet has changed everything including Parker sales and values. It's a national market with literally thousands of choices if your searching for a Parker. The best value in Parkers today is a 12ga DH(E).