First Parker Purchase and now I'm scared I messed up

[Stephanie Murray]

Hey there,
I purchased a Parker sxs 12 gauge with a 30" barrel at a local estate sale this weekend. My grandfather has always dreamed of owning a Parker. I was his first grandchild. I'm his only grand girl and I've gone on many hunting trips over the years with him - lots of wonderful memories. After purchasing the gun, I'm now fearful I did not do enough research. The stock does not look like any of the others I've seen. Also, there are markings (CVR) that I can't find the meaning to. There are slight dents in the barrel so will these make it a wall hanger? I am hoping someone out there can look at the pictures and let me know if I made a mistake... According to the serial # it was made in 1913... Any advice/knowledge/help would be greatly appreciated!!! I have no clue what it's true worth is and I paid $1700.

[Erick Dorr]

Stephanie,
You have a Trojan grade with the OV marking not a CV. If it looks like a C rather than a O it is probably due to an uneven strike. It left the factory as a 12 with 30" bbls. A dent does not relegate it to wall hanger status. Dents can be removed or the gun shot with small dents. You need to have the gun checked by a competent gunsmith before firing as you question the effect of the dent. Your post suggests you don't have a lot of experience with doubles so a smith can check out its overall safety. Some dents can render a gun unsafe if extreme.
the gun is a #2 frame the rule for 12 ga Trojans.
The pad is not original and the stock is likely a replacement can't be sure from your photos. You can check for a SN stamped into the stock under the rear of the trigger guard by removing the screw and twisting the guard counter clockwise.
Yeah you probably paid to much. Most of us have at one time or another.
Welcome to the club!
Erick

[Stephanie Murray]

Thanks Erick,

Look closely at the second pic. I know that it is marked with an OV for a Trojan above the serial number. But there is also a marking of CVR in the second pic just under my fingers. I can't find anything about this marking....

[Rick Losey]

Stephanie -

for the dent- as Erick said - easy for a competent gunsmith - make sure they know doubles and what they are doing

if you let us know your general location - someone may be able to point you to someone

[Pete Lester]

I find it difficult to know how to respond. I am sure you know advice regarding such things is valuable prior to a purchase and not so much after. Sadly, in my opinion your fears of having overpaid are correct. Buying and collecting Parker's often has a tuition cost to becoming educated, you are not alone.

That said, the recoil pad is not original, the checkering is not original and the stock was either modified or is not original as the shape of the pistol grip looks a little funny to me.

In the first picture the lever looks to be quite left of center and the line around the dolls head extension, where the barrels meet the receiver looks like it could be an uneven fit. When the gun is closed are the barrels tight to the frame or do they wiggle? Can you see light between the barrels and the receiver when held up to a light bulb? If the barrels are loose, it's called "off-face" and it is a fairly expensive repair.

Good luck to you going forward.

[Erick Dorr]

Stephanie,
The bottom of the bbls under your fingers looks like an OV to me in the photo. Sometimes they are not stamped evenly or as deeply in a consistent manner. I am at a loss to explain the "R" at the moment maybe someone else will chime in on that.
Erick

[Stephanie Murray]

I'll try to get a clearer pic of the CV stamp when I get home and take it apart. The gun is tight and not loose at all. There is no light that can be seen through it.

Y'all are awesome. My sweet little Granddaddy will love it no matter what. But I have learned a lesson going forward. I live around Charleston, SC. If y'all recommend someone, I will gladly pay to have it inspected/appraised.

Thank you all so much for your help. Many thanks!

[greg conomos]

The good news is you can have it restocked and the barrels redone and the receiver restored and then the gun will be worth $1700.

[Brian Dudley]

The buttstock on the gun MAY be original. But it has at least for sure been crudely altered, refinished and incorrectly checkered. It is hard to tell from the photos if the frame has been blued at one time or not. And there looks to be some questionable things happen ring around the rib extension, like some past buffing or rounding of edges.

As some have previously stated, your fears are correct in that you paid a lot more than the gun is actually worth in its current state.

That "R" stamp next to the OV is very interesting.

[Bob Hardison]

Stephanie: I'm 69 and still paying too much for Parkershttp://parkerguns.org/forums/images/smilies/bigcry.gif My opinion is any Parker will always be worth something. The good news is that you could not find a better place to locate knowledgeable, kind and helpful people. Your granddaddy will certainly be proud! Regards, Bob

[David Dwyer]

Stephanie
I live in Georgetown SC and am at Backwoods Quail Club shooting every week. If you would like to come up ,I would be happy to inspect the Parker for you.
David Dwyer

[Pete Lester]

Stephanie, cost and value are not the same. You may have overpaid for a Trojan 12 in that condition but the fact you bought it for your grandfather is in my opinion pretty darn special and bordering priceless. I suspect your grandfather will be thrilled to receive such a thoughtful gift from a grand daughter. If I were you I would have the gun evaluated for functionality, have anything mechanical needing repair fixed and not try to make it something it is not by spending a good deal more money on it's refurbishment. I suspect your grandfather will treasure the gun more than anything because it is a gift from you. If I were in his shoes the value of it would be priceless for that reason and I would never sell it. If you want to buy a "better" Parker for him someday, visit this website, watch the for sale section, and ask the group questions.

[greg conomos]

I didn't mean my comment as a mean comment but as a statement about the joys of gun ownership...

[Stephanie Murray]

Thank you so much for ALL of your replies! I value honesty! Mr. Fishtail, your post wasn't mean at all. I know boats and saltwater fishing. I know boat, tackle and gear information and values. Not guns - obviously. My granddaddy will treasure this gun until the day he dies. He's 84 and still using a climbing tree stand - most of the time. My mom was his bird dog growing up and then he had me. I took over his fishing passion more than hunting. I plan on contacting Mr. C Grade and taking it to him for inspection. I can't thank you all enough. One day, I know I will lose my precious Grandfather and this gun will come back to stay with me. I would just like for him to safely and happily fire it as much as he wants and enjoy owning a brand of gun he has wanted for the longest time. I was probably 6 or 7 and we were looking for arrowheads after the fields were plowed when I first remember him mentioning it. I'm sure you fellas are of just the same caliber! Here are a few more pics I took this afternoon. One is of the dents that don't appear to involve the inside of the barrels. Another is of 2 other markings that I assume are from an inspector? I tried to get another one of the CV mark - maybe it is really an OV. And one from Christmas of me and my Granddaddy :p

[Dean Romig]

Stephanie, it's plain to see from that picture you're a real sweetheart to love your ol' Grandaddy so much.

The stamp is actually the Trojan "OV" stamp. We have other examples of chipped or broken stamping dies leaving incomplete letters or numbers on Parker barrels and frames - some to the point that the original letter or number is unrecognizable as the stamp it was intended to be. But, rest assured, it definitely is the "OV" stamp indicating Trojan Steel barrels.

[Dave Suponski]

Steph(If I may call you that) The JG marking is the inspectors mark for Jim Geary. Parker Bros. barrel forman. It is seen quite often on guns of that era. The other mark is in fact "OV" and this designates the barrels as the correct ones for a Trojan grade gun.Also .....you would do well to have Mr. C Grade look the "Ol girl" over for you. He will give you an honest opinion.

If I was your grandad I would cherish the gun.

[Brian Dudley]

The dents in the barrels should be able to be taken care of by any competent gunsmith with the proper tools that works on double guns. After That, along with a good inspection, the gun would likely be a good shooter again.

Regarding the OV stamp. You will also find a corresponding OV stamp on the water table of the gun, along with the serial number.

[Dean Romig]

Me too. I have enough Parkers to last me a lifetime but if one of my three granddaughters brought me the gift of a Parker straight from her heart I would treasure that gun above all others.

[Russ Jackson]

Stephanie ,Your Pap's New Parker might have been a bit over priced but I have to say the picture of You and Your Pap is PRICELESS ! Congrats on your purchase you will make your Pap a very Happy and Proud Grandfather ! Russ

[edgarspencer]

If I ever have Grandchildren, I hope they're as thoughtful and cute as you.

[Mills Morrison]

Great photos! Thanks for sharing. I don't have a huge budget and most of my guns are well worn, but those are the ones that are great shooters

[Joe Dreisch]

What a wonderful Granddaughter!! Does my heart good. Thank You!

[Gary Carmichael Sr]

Yea, I like the gun too! and a priceless gift, but tell me a little about that black lab in the picture, they are great dogs, I have had the good fortune to share time here on earth with several, Gary

[Stephanie Murray]

The black lab's name is Bud. He will be 11 in October. He believes himself to weigh only 9 lbs (he only weighs 90 haha) and prefers to be in your lap. I will never be without a Labrador. He is the only one I've owned. My husband rescued him when he was a year old. One problem - he has no intentions of retrieving. But he does love to fish and he loves his Momma!! Thanks for asking about him - didn't realize he snuck into any pictures. But he's always at my side. Here is one I snapped of him a few months ago. He doesn't look his age at all.

[Mills Morrison]

We too have a rescue black lab and love him. He is curled up next to my desk as I write this

[David Dwyer]

I am also fortunate to have a "velcro" lab as a friend. Pepper is three, 55 lb and just loves to retrieve but mostly to just to be with me
David

[Gary Carmichael Sr]

This is miss Jolie, She does love a frisbie, Notice in the upper left hand corner of the photo is the stone we placed for Miss Mattie 15yrs who passed last April 29. Jolie is 11months old the 13th of this month, Life demands a lab, to keep things in order, Gary

[David Dwyer]

Gary
Wonderfully stated!!! I grew up with springers ans setters.When we came to live "out back" in SC we got Dobermans and have had them for 30 years. I still love my Dob, but nothing is as loving and special as a Lab.
David

[scott kittredge]

Here's my Lab Parker, he will be 8 in july. This is the pic I am going to use for the bottom engraving of one of my parkers, sill not sure which one, I am not looking forward to that day. Scott

[David Dwyer]

Stephanie
You stared a fine thread of lovers of Parker and Labs! Thank You!
David

[gary cutler]

I find it difficult to know how to respond. I am sure you know advice regarding such things is valuable prior to a purchase and not so much after. Sadly, in my opinion your fears of having overpaid are correct. Buying and collecting Parker's often has a tuition cost to becoming educated, you are not alone.

That said, the recoil pad is not original, the checkering is not original and the stock was either modified or is not original as the shape of the pistol grip looks a little funny to me.

In the first picture the lever looks to be quite left of center and the line around the dolls head extension, where the barrels meet the receiver looks like it could be an uneven fit. When the gun is closed are the barrels tight to the frame or do they wiggle? Can you see light between the barrels and the receiver when held up to a light bulb? If the barrels are loose, it's called "off-face" and it is a fairly expensive repair.

Good luck to you going forward.

Pete,
I have a VH 12 ga. with cut barrels to 25", cyl & cyl, which has a paper thin space in the action which shows against a light. Can I use a light target load such as Winchester AA, low noise, low recoil, 2 3/4", 6,200 psi, without any concern? The action is otherwise tight.
Thanks, Gary


Gary

[Chris Travinski]

Hey Stephanie, You'll find we have all paid too much for a gun, car motorcycle etc. at some point. All you can do is learn from the experience, at this point the cost is irrelevant. Don't let the price ruin the moment, give it to granddad, I guarantee it'll be his favorite gun. It won't hurt for long!!

[George Lander]

I'll try to get a clearer pic of the CV stamp when I get home and take it apart. The gun is tight and not loose at all. There is no light that can be seen through it.

Y'all are awesome. My sweet little Granddaddy will love it no matter what. But I have learned a lesson going forward. I live around Charleston, SC. If y'all recommend someone, I will gladly pay to have it inspected/appraised.

Thank you all so much for your help. Many thanks!

Stephanie: Take your Parker to Jim Kelly at Darlington Gun Works, Darlington, South Carolina. He will give you an honest appraisal & estimate on how to make your Parker right.

Best Regards, George