Parker Hammerless Double Barrel

[Jim Hawk]

I have a 20 gauge Parker hammerless double barrel which I have had for a long time. I think it is all original condition. It was given to me by my father a long time ago. I shot it once about 60 years ago. The serial number is 154226 which was made in 1910. It has 26" Vulcan barrels on a 0 frame. It is a grade VH. I tried to upload some photographs but it would not work for some reason. The gun seems to have seen a lot of service in the past but there are no dents in the barrels or cracks in the stock or forearm. Can you tell me what it might be worth and where I can find a gunsmith to see if is still safe to shoot?

[George Lander]

Jim: Your Parker is not in the serialization book but a 20 gauge VH with 26" uncut barrels without ejectors in average well hunted condition should be worth in the $1,500 - $2,000 range. If it has automatic ejectors you could add $300 - $500 more. Let us know where you are located and we could perhaps recommend a gunsmith to look at it. You should order a letter from PGCA for your gun. I will give you a wealth of information.

Best Regards, George

[Ed Blake]

Mr. Hawk - e-mail the pictures to yourself, save them, then post. This resizes them for attachment to this website.

[Jim Hawk]

Thanks for all the information. After I made my initial post I read the FAQ on uploading pictures and saw that there was a 244.1Kb limit on the file size. So I cropped and compressed the images until they met that limit at a slight loss of detail. They can now be viewed in my album. I am located near Knoxville, Tennessee. I would appreciate knowing of a Parker gunsmith in this area.

[Dean Romig]

Jim, George knows his Parkers pretty well and I wouldn't disagree with him on much of anything but my opinion of value on the VH described is about $500 more on both the low end as well as the high end.

[Greg S. Phillips]

I agree with Dean regarding pricing estimates. Try surveying some dealers on the web, like guns international, gunsamerica, and gunbroker. If the the barrels are uncut and gun is solid it should be worth $2500 and up depending on condition.

[George Lander]

Just trying to be a bit conservative. The gun was described as well used but not abused. If the barrels were 30 inch or longer I would agree with the higher estimates.

Best Regards, George

[Jim Hawk]

I would like information on how I might be able to improve the appearance of my gun. I would be interested in what not to do as well as what to do. Thanks in advance for any help.

[John Dunkle]

Hi Jim,

I throw my hat into the ring on this one - having just viewed your album.. Frankly, the stock may be problematic, as it looks as it might have been repaired? If it was, that should be checked for integrity. As well, I think it's honest use - with some traces of case left on the receiver. As well, it's also been apart at some time - when and for what reason - you and we may never know.. ;)

Anyway - if the stock has been repaired and given the condition of the wood - I'd probably "guesstimate" about $1600-$1800. If the stock isn't cracked, but again given the overall condition - I'd probably put it about $1900-$2200. Obviously - these are "ranges" based on "good" and "average" conditions of the bore, if it's on face and tight, etc......

Just my $0.00002 ;)

John

[Jim Hawk]

John

The stock has never been repaired. I am fairly certain that there have never been any repairs made to this gun. The stock shows no signs of any repairs. It does have a lot of scratches, some fairly deep, as well as a small chip. The finish is rather worn in some places. That was the main focus of my request for advice on remediation of the damage.

[Carl Brandt]

Jim,

My personal opinion, for whatever it's worth, is that this gun is looks like exactly what it is. It looks its age and has earned its stripes. Aside from cleaning, oiling the metal and waxing the wood anything you do to it, like refinishing the stock, repointing the checking, etc. will just throw the whole appearance thing out of whack. I recommend conservation rather than remediation. Since there is nothing broken, it is unlikely that what you spend to remediate will increase its value.

For a complete refinishing you could spend $3 to $4,000 and you would end up with a spiffy looking gun that is worth little (or no) more than what it is now. I found this out for myself.

I have a 16 ga. VHE that is in very similar condition to your 20. It will not receive any "reconditioning" as long as I have it. I'm proud to carry it into the field and the doves are just as dead when I do my part.

Good luck,
Carl.

[John Dunkle]

Hi Jim!

I agree 100% with Carl... Let the old gal just do what she does best.. Since you replied to me that the stock isn't cracked (sorry, my interpretation of one of the pics - but I did say "...If it was.." repaired (<--- my disclaimer - I always add those ;) )...

My opinion - if this was mine - is I wouldn't refinish anything... Like Carl said - if you refinish the stock, the receiver will look "off".. If you do the stock & receiver - the barrels will look "off"..??

My estimate still stands on your Parker with the non-cracked stock.. She's won her wounds.. Enjoy them for what they are..!

Best to you!

John