DelGrego Parker

[Lawrence Schaedel]

Hello, I recently purchased a Parker Trojen [20 ga., 28"}in like-new condition.It has the code cnn3 on it{Oct 1944}. the gun was built in 1923.I took the gun to Del Gregos on Monday. Babe said he refinished the gun in the70s.Remington did the recase. My question is, what would the value be for such a gun? The gun was sold to me as orginal and I fell for it, costly mistake.The checkering should of been the tip off, to fine for a Trojan.But it is a beautiful little 20 ga. Thanks, Larry

[Dean Romig]

Between $1200 - $2000

I know that's a big spread but I've seen very nice refinished Trojan 20's go for both ends of that scale.

[Harry Collins]

Lawrence,

Don't dispare, you'll kill the gun for yourself. Those little 20 gauge Trojans are stocked right and they shoot as well as any gun I have ever thrown to my shoulder. Hell, we all spend more than what a gun is worth most of the time. I would think that in the long run when you have worn the blue off the barrels the little Parker will have given you more satisfaction than..... well I'll let you fill in that blank. My 20 gauge Trojan is very special to me and I hope yours will be for you and yours.

Kindest, Harry

[John Dunkle]

Actually - Dean might be a bit low, BUT - I think he's in the right ballpark. For example, we had a 20GA Parker Trojan redone by DelGrego (copy of the receipt) that was simply beautiful. It sold at KTP for $2295 about two years ago - and spent less than 2 days in inventory. For that - I also agree with Harry... Make it "your Parker" by using it - and it becomes even my valuable to you as the years go by. For example - I have a 20 GA VH redone by DelGrego which has been my "go to" Parker for years... I wouldn't sell it for the world as it has far too many great memories for me...

Best to you!

John

[Dave Suponski]

My recently bought 20 gauge Trojan is already "Special" Enjoy the gun for what it is. Birds don't care about engraving and pretty wood....:rolleyes:

[Pete Lester]

I would not like feeling as though I had been taken either but at least the gun was redone by Babe and his father in the 70's. If you didn't already ask, see if Babe will verify/state that in writing if possible. A DelGrego restoration of that era means more too many people and is usually worth more than if it was done by some unknown smith.

I am fortunate to have two Trojan 20's, one partially restored by DelGrego and one original. I like and shoot them both.

Remember the old adage, you never pay too much, you just pay too soon. Enjoy it while the value catches up, small bore prices including Trojans have been escalating fast.

[Tim Sheldon]

Lawrence, pricewise, I think that John is on the money. Also, those little 20's are nice guns, enjoy it and don't be afraid to take her out and get her dirty.
Tim

[Bill Murphy]

Don't forget that Ed's old Trojan 12 sold for more than ten grand at auction.

[Pete Lester]

Bill given the subject of this thread are you suggesting Ed's former Trojan 12 was also a DelGrego redo?

[Bruce Day]

Ed Muderlak's Trojan 12ga was new in the box, with wrapping, never shot and possibly never assembled. I don't recall seeing any extractor drag marks on the standing breech. It was sold by EDM to Mark Vollinger, who later placed it for auction with James Julia. The gun gaveled for about $10,000 and with commission, likely totalled about $11,000, although I've forgot exact amounts.

The price fetched by that gun should not be taken as a price setting for Trojans in general, redone or worn original condition.

[Bill Murphy]

I don't know, Bruce. I own a couple of Trojans without boxes that I would be hard pressed to sell for any reasonable figure. Their value in my mind is no less than VH guns also in my collection in the same condition. Lower grade guns seem to be valued more for their condition than for their grade or configuration. Odd situation, but true. Boxes are nice, but boxes and labels seem to be the target of fakers today even more than the guns themselves. Parkers don't seem to be targeted as much as Foxes and Winchesters, but just give us time.

[Lawrence Schaedel]

Hey, Thanks for the replys.Yeah I did get a letter from the Parker experts, Larry and Babe Del Grego.I am trying to get some money back from the seller.He has a hugh collection of firearms.He owns the armory in Franklin,Pa.If your in Franklin it is a must see.No I will not use this gun for hunting. thanks again, Larry

[Dean Romig]

Lower grade guns seem to be valued more for their condition than for their grade or configuration. Odd situation, but true.

Bill knows this but didn't say . . .

The lower grade, or ungraded guns are highly prized for high condition because to find one is such a rare thing. These guns were 'utility' guns - to put meat in the pot - to rid the homestead of varmints and vermin - they were used hard, sometimes every day, and sometimes not well cared for. Condition was about the last thing their owners thought about, as long as they continued to fire and serve their intended purpose - so, to find one in high condition is a one in a thousand chance or greater.

[Francis Morin]

[QUOTE=Bruce Day;8994]Ed Muderlak's Trojan 12ga was new in the box, with wrapping, never shot and possibly never assembled. I don't recall seeing any extractor drag marks on the standing breech. It was sold by EDM to Mark Vollinger, who later placed it for auction with James Julia. The gun gaveled for about $10,000 and with commission, likely totalled about $11,000, although I've forgot exact amounts.

The price fetched by that gun should not be taken as a price setting for Trojans in general, redone or worn original condition.-- Bruce- just curious a bit, was that Super-Mint Trojan a Meriden mfg. gun or a later Ilion mfg.? And in that pristine NIB condition, would its place of origin have affected the price to any degree?:bigbye:

[Bruce Day]

Francis:

1. Don't recall. But you can go through the Julia auction postings if you need the answer.

2. The phrasing of your question about place of origin presumes that place of manufacture makes a difference for lesser condition guns. I don't believe it does regardless of condition. I believe each gun stands on its own for perceived value.

[Bill Murphy]

Ilion Trojans are very scarce or, possibly, non existent. I don't know if any Trojans have Ilion markings. I have only seen one Trojan over 240,000 serial number although there are some.

[Greg Baehman]

The former EDM/Vollinger mint unfired Trojan #227,251 (c. 1929) is pictured a couple of times in Ed's book Parker Guns the "Old Reliable" pages 158 (c) and 174 (d).