value: Parker VH 1916 20Ga.

[gbsharrett]

Can anyone help me determine the approximate value of a Parker that I have on a 5 day hold at Cabela's.

It is labeled as a VH, serial number is 134944 (made in 1916), 20 Ga, 28" barrels choked Imp cyl and imp mod.

There are no obvious big blemishes on the wood or metal. Some rust is seen on the barrel and more under the triggers. Some bluing remains. Screws look clean, no damage. The barrels are Trogen Steel. The wood appears to be original, not re-finished. On the inside of the receiver are the letters CV and to the right of that the numbers 3, 5. The three is larger than the five and is up and to the right of the three, like three to the fifth power would be written. What is this?

The initials JG are inside a six sided box. The number 0 is in the center of the lock as is the number 20. What do these mean? Is this frame size and gauge?

I have included some photos.

Any information would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks,
George

[Eldon Goddard]

That is a nice looking Parker 20 ga, but it is a Trojan not a VH. The 3 5 is the unstruck barrel weight of 3 lbs 5 oz and the 0 is the frame size. It appears to be in very good condition.

[Dean Romig]

It also has a late Remington butt plate and case colors look a bit like they were applied with a torch.
OV is the stamp which identifies the gun as a Trojan and that stamp is probably on the water table as well.
J.G is the stamp of Jim Geary who was a contractor at Parker Bros who specialized in choke cutting.

[gbsharrett]

Very fun to learn about these guns. I wondered about the case colors, not that I knew a person could apply them with a torch but they did look a little different than others I have seen. I thought perhaps chemical.
Anyone willing to through out a number for value?
Thanks,
George

[gbsharrett]

Or, asked another way, what would the difference in value be between a real VH and a Trogan in this exact condition? 10%-, 30%-, etc...

I would love to own this gun but do not want to pay too high of an "initiation fee" to own my first Parker because I over paid.

[Dean Romig]

Is is definitely worth less that a VH in the same condition. Why not tell us what the asking price is and maybe someone here can advise you to run to it or from it.

[Bill Zachow]

I would guess that Cabelas has the labeled VH overpriced as 1) it is a Trojan 2) the metal appears to be refinished by a non knowledgeable gunsmith--wrong colors on the frame and barrels appear overbuffed--and I might bet that the stock was replaced with a V grade stock, wrong buttplate for a Trojan and the wood fit by the trigger area is lousy. As is, I might offer $1200 to $1500 at most. Knowing Cabelas, I expect they are asking close to$3000.

[gbsharrett]

Sure. They want $2999.99.
Which direction should I run?

[Dean Romig]

Good eye on the wood fit Bill.

Mr. Gbsharrett, does it have a "capped pistol grip" or just plain wood at the base of the pistol grip?

[Dean Romig]

Away at that price.

[Rich Anderson]

First off if Cabelas has it marked as a VH they don't know what there talking about therefore whatever price they have on it is to much. Their min mark up is at least 30%.

I'd run from this so fast Bruce Jenner would be impressed. SAVE YOUR MONEY and wait to buy an honest Parker. I bought a good honest VH 20 a year or so ago for $2500 and just bought a GH 16 on an O frame for about that. It's easier to buy a gun than to sell one especially a bad one.

[gbsharrett]

Bill, you nailed that! I have not had Cabela's come down much in price in the past but now I am now well armed with good information.
Thank you all!

[gbsharrett]

Pistol grip is wood.

[gbsharrett]

Other than gun shows what are the good places to look for an "honest" Parker.

[gbsharrett]

The grip is all wood. Is the water table the corresponding smooth surface in the receiver part of the gun?

[Robin Lewis]

Join the PGCA, some nice guns sell here but only PGCA members have access to that part of the web site.

I find auctions are a good source too.

What part of the country are you in? There are a couple of good auctions here in New England that get some nice guns. In fact, next weekend there are a couple Parker's on the auction block at Amoskeag Auction in Manchester New Hampshire (http://www.amoskeagauction.com/ ) .

[Rich Anderson]

Consider joining the PGCA for $40. You will have access to the for sale section of this forum which is restricted to members.

Look on the web at sites such as Guns International, Guns America etc. I stay away from places like Gun Broker. There are several good honest dealers such as Steve Barnett and Chuck Brunner to name two who I have had extensive dealings with.

[gbsharrett]

I live in Olympia, Wa. A long way from New England and all those fine old doubles!

[Dean Romig]

Being a wood pistol grip without a cap it is most likely a poorly fitted stock from another Trojan. A VH or higher would have a capped pistil grip.
Yes, the water table is the flat surface of the frame corresponding to the barrel flats.

[wayne goerres]

I would tell them that they misrepresented the gun and ask for my money back. I wouldnt give one third of their asking price for that gun. So far as I have noticed Cabales is like gander mountain. Most of their personal have no idea what they have or what it is worth. I saw a ruger single shot in 450/400 in gander mountain and their sales man tryed to tell me it was a 45 cal.

[Brian Dudley]

Yes, do not buy that gun at that price. Not that the gun would not make a good shooter to someone, just not at that price.
For that much money you can have a legit Trojan or VH 20g that has not been molested.
If you are prepared to spend that, you can find yourself a respectable gun without looking very far.
Good thing is... Now you know what a torched frame looks like. Stay away from that. Unless very cheap.

[Eldon Goddard]

I live in Olympia, Wa. A long way from New England and all those fine old doubles!

I understand that. They are few and far between out here in vegas as well not counting the antiques arms and armor show. I never even noticed the case colors until Mr. Romig mentioned it, but now it is obvious.

[Dave Noreen]

I can say that the Gun Library at the Cabelas in Lacey, WA. is better than the Gun Library at the Cabelas in Post Falls, ID, five miles from my house. But, that aint saying much!!!

[gbsharrett]

Thanks to all of you. I have NO interest in this gun at any price. I would love to find an "honest" Parker to own. The cost is far less important to me than the quality. By that I mean not grade but just that it is more or less original and that no one has messed it up by trying to turn it into something it is not.
I will contact Cabela's to let them know I am not interested (It was just a hold, no money down) and to let them know it is NOT the grade they have it marked as and that there are several (perhaps many!) other issues with the gun.
Living out here on the west coast (Oly wa) I imagine we get the left over pickings from the older, east coast.
I grew up hunting on the eastern shore of the Chesapeake in the 60's and 70's. and saw a lot of fine guns in the hands of my father and his friend's.
I'll never have hunting like that again... We hunted the Wye Mill farm and the wealthy owner let the corn lay in the fields... The sky and fields were thick with geese, calling and calling...
Like being on a rocking boat all day and feeling the waves that night in bed, I laid in my bed and heard the honking of a thousand geese as I drifted off to sleep.
Will find a good Parker (and a few other guns) to connect me with that time again.
Thanks again,
George

[Rich Anderson]

As mentioned befor consider joining the PGCA. There is/was a nice GH 20 listed for sale here to members for less than $3000. Just one of the many benefits of membership.

[wayne goerres]

You might want to watch the for sale list closely. The 20ga's dont last longe on the for sale thread.