Value

[Mark Callanan]

I know this will be all over the place
But I would love to know others thoughts on value of Parkers that have been re done
So if you are buying a gun that has been redone correctly ?
I assume an original has more value then one that has been re cased barrels re done, wood redone
So one could take a D grade in rough shape have a qualified Smith re do the gun
I assume if done well it has nice value but how much less then one in equal condition never redone
Help me out here I have wondered the answer

Thanks Mark

[Mills Morrison]

I have heard that a restored Parker will rate in value comparable to an original Parker in "very good" condition. Others on here may know more.

[Fred Verry]

Mark, at best and considering only the lower grades and most common configurations (ex. 2 frame 12 ga. 28" pistol grip) at best 50 %. For almost any other scenario, even less. Of course, what the value of the finished gun is to you is what really matters.

[Rich Anderson]

Once it's restored/refinished it's no longer original and value will differ between seller and buyer.

I have a CHE damascuss 20 which acording to TPS only 8 were made with 26 inch bbls. It has the original (confirmed with a letter) Silvers pad thats crushed to a pancake and after 114 years the damascuss bbls could use to be refinished. Do I have the bbls redone and a new pad installed?? The gun would look better but then it's not "original" any longer and how many 100% original guns are out there esp in this configuration?

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder but it's only original once and therefor priced accordingly.

[rufus thames]

New orig. Unfired in origional box same price as redone which will you pick to purchase ?
Rufus

[ed good]

guns redone by del gregos, turnbull and perhaps others seem to demand high prices.

[Bill Murphy]

In years to come, Del Grego and Turnbull full restorations with provenance will increase in value, just not as fast as original guns. Refinished guns with no provenance, not so much and not so fast.

[greg conomos]

The main fault with the 'restored vs. original argument' is that is presumes that you actually have two such guns to compare, when almost always you don't.

[Mills Morrison]

Some restorations are works of art in themselves. Also some upgrades are works of art. I was perusing the last James Julia catalog and noting the low estimates for beautiful upgrades

[Harryreed]

If it is ugly and YOU want to have a nice Parker it is simple, restore/refinish it. Now if it is ugly, but it is still original the better. Do all you can to keep it original; stocks, buttplate, barrels, case colors, blueing/browning. If you restore it now you will end up with a seviceable and appealing Parker. I say do it. In the 1800's, firearms were tools. They were just as much a part of daily life as our computers of today. The difference is, IMHO, A Parker never becomes obsolete because of it's craftmenship. Tools don't last forever even if TLC is practiced. I would rather replace the wood handle on my father's old screw drivers or hammer handles rather then buy any new tool I can get my hands on. Parkers's are the same way. Bring them back to life. Enjoy them. But if you do it for profit you will never make out in the short term. To restore a Parker properly, with quality work, is expensive. So if you are motivated by the joy of shooting and owning a Parker, even a NICE Parker, I say do it. One thing is for sure, the next 100 years will not be near as hard on your Parker as the last 100 years were. I do promise you this, however, the craftmanship needed to restore a Parker will be very, very hard to find 100 years from now. Wonder what the topic of the day will be on this forum???

[Mark Callanan]

Thanks all for your thoughts
How about buying one restored
So the value or buying restored VRS original one ?
What % should one deduct of a restored Parker

[Gary Carmichael Sr]

Mark, I will jump in with my two cents, First the number of original in every way guns are rare, yes I said rare, they will always demand a higher price in this condition, now you have to look at guns that are high grade one of a kind etc, but that have had a hard life or have a few problems, like cracked stock, damascus barrels that may need a face lift or a dent taken out. In my opinion a gun with problems as above need to be fixed, you still have the original parts, now if a stock replacement is needed that changes things, the gun is no longer original, many guns were sent back to Parker to be "cleaned up". I think that original guns in great condition are so few and far between they are in a class by themselves, so original guns top price in any grade, refinished guns in higher grades same price or more than high grades with problems, lower grade guns, I refinish if they are fairly rare, I have a 20 ga gun that was the first 20gauge made by Parker and the only A grade or 300.00 dollar made that has come to light so far, Brad Bachelder freshened up this gun for me, does it take away in value? I say no because it is the only one known, so you see my point. By the way if you want to see the best display of original guns you will probably ever see, you need to see Mr Charlie Greens collection part of which will be displayed at the Parker Hall of Fame inductions at Chris steak house in Cary, Gary

[William Davis]

As a fairly new Parker owner and buyer here is my opinion.

Problem with restored is was it well done. Few I have looked at were very nice in appearance almost too nice. Thing that kept me away was how much may have been taken out of the barrels to clean up. If the gun came from one of the well known shops provided barrel measurements and was priced less than original might be worth considering. Ended up passing on restored for original, looking for another now and will only seriously consider original I would not reject a simple clean up or repair however like new restore puts me off right away.

What does that do to value ? makes restored a slow seller compared to the equivalent untouched gun, slow means less if the seller wants to move the gun.

Bill

[Dean Romig]

What % should one deduct of a restored Parker

You can't deduct any % from a restored gun... it is what it is, and it will find its own value at the time of sale.... whatever the seller and buyer agree on.

[Craig Larter]

The best article I have read on this subject was written by Charlie Price in the Spring 1994 DGJ "Parker Economics". The author covers the economics of gun collecting from original condition to fully restored. I reread it about once a year to keep myself on track---it is a great article that applies today.
His advise regarding restoration makes sense to me----restore only what is to ugly to look at---keep the rest original and full restoration rarely makes any economic sense.

[Dean Romig]

Charlie is the epitome of the word "collector" and I have always valued his words and advice.

[Rich Anderson]

The final value is going to come down to an agreement or disagreement on price between buyer and seller. I bought a GH damascuss 20 with rare 30 inch barrels sometime last year. This gun was completely redone by Doug Turnbull and it's fantastic BUT it's not original. After some debate with the seller we agreed to terms and I'm very happy with the gun.

The other side of the coin is a good honest gun showing some wear but in original condition VS being redone. One of our members here had a VHE 16 for sale on the forum. The gun showed honest wear which it should as it was made in 1930. It had good screws, straight stock (a definite plus for some) and acceptable patina. I would favor this gun in its present condition over another VH 16 redone by DelGrego.

[Mark Callanan]

Thanks alot for the information
Kind of you all to take the time to respond
I am looking at a redone CH grade and I am having a hard time finding a base line value

[Rich Anderson]

Mark can you post any pics of the gun? If not what is the guage, configuration of the gun and the asking price? Do you know who redid the gun, Turnbull, DelGrego etc?

[Harold Lee Pickens]

This little VH 20 with 26' cyl/m factory barrels was bought restored in the late 1980's--I have no idea what I paid for it , but it was nicely done.
This A grade 16 Fox was in poor condition when I bought it for $500--cost more than that to fix her up, but now is a sweetheart. I wished I had before pictures.