Parker VHE 20ga

[Marcus Hoogewind]

Hello, I'm new to the forum and this is my first post. I just purchased my first Parker, a VHE 20 ga, 26in bbls, IC/IM.

Below are some pictures. I'm curious what you all think and if it would be a good candidate for a restoration. I am leaning toward restoring it and would have Brad Bachelder do the work. Thanks for your time.

http://i958.photobucket.com/albums/ae66/marchoogewind/Parker%20VHE%2020/image_zps4515eae9.jpeg (http://s958.photobucket.com/user/marchoogewind/media/Parker%20VHE%2020/image_zps4515eae9.jpeg.html)
http://i958.photobucket.com/albums/ae66/marchoogewind/Parker%20VHE%2020/image-1_zps34ae7db1.jpeg (http://s958.photobucket.com/user/marchoogewind/media/Parker%20VHE%2020/image-1_zps34ae7db1.jpeg.html)
http://i958.photobucket.com/albums/ae66/marchoogewind/Parker%20VHE%2020/image-3_zps9534306a.jpeg (http://s958.photobucket.com/user/marchoogewind/media/Parker%20VHE%2020/image-3_zps9534306a.jpeg.html)
http://i958.photobucket.com/albums/ae66/marchoogewind/Parker%20VHE%2020/IMG_0954_zps74e70957.jpeg (http://s958.photobucket.com/user/marchoogewind/media/Parker%20VHE%2020/IMG_0954_zps74e70957.jpeg.html)
http://i958.photobucket.com/albums/ae66/marchoogewind/Parker%20VHE%2020/image-8_zps182a8db7.jpeg (http://s958.photobucket.com/user/marchoogewind/media/Parker%20VHE%2020/image-8_zps182a8db7.jpeg.html)
http://i958.photobucket.com/albums/ae66/marchoogewind/Parker%20VHE%2020/image-9_zpsebda7814.jpeg (http://s958.photobucket.com/user/marchoogewind/media/Parker%20VHE%2020/image-9_zpsebda7814.jpeg.html)
http://i958.photobucket.com/albums/ae66/marchoogewind/Parker%20VHE%2020/image-7_zps9eeea478.jpeg (http://s958.photobucket.com/user/marchoogewind/media/Parker%20VHE%2020/image-7_zps9eeea478.jpeg.html)
http://i958.photobucket.com/albums/ae66/marchoogewind/Parker%20VHE%2020/IMG_3748_zps3a3e9a78.jpeg (http://s958.photobucket.com/user/marchoogewind/media/Parker%20VHE%2020/IMG_3748_zps3a3e9a78.jpeg.html)
http://i958.photobucket.com/albums/ae66/marchoogewind/Parker%20VHE%2020/IMG_3966_zpse3f94a19.jpeg (http://s958.photobucket.com/user/marchoogewind/media/Parker%20VHE%2020/IMG_3966_zpse3f94a19.jpeg.html)
http://i958.photobucket.com/albums/ae66/marchoogewind/Parker%20VHE%2020/image-4_zps68821c79.jpeg (http://s958.photobucket.com/user/marchoogewind/media/Parker%20VHE%2020/image-4_zps68821c79.jpeg.html)

[Craig Parker]

Nice gun, I would leave it as is on this one. I would carry that one all day long.

Craig

[edgarspencer]

Too nice, as it is, to restore. You'll only hurt the value.

[Dean Romig]

I wouldn't touch it. That gun is in nice condition - too nice to spoil it with a restoration. Every scratch tells a story, most of which you'll never know. In time you'll add some of your own. If only these old guns could talk....
That is a lovely little Parker that is just beginning to get some patina and I for one, wouldn't interrupt that process. JMHO

[Jay Gardner]

Nope. Leave it as is and enjoy.

[James L. Martin]

Nice gun, the last thing I would do is restore it, just enjoy it .

[Brian Dudley]

I would lean towards what some of the others are saying. That is to means as is since other than finish loss, there is nothing wrong with the gun. And you do have some original finish remaining on the frame, mostly on the top.

However, to play devil'a advocate, if you were to restore it, you have a great platform to do so since you are basically only talking about cosmetic restoration or freshening up.

In regards to value. Given what VHE 20s are currently selling for in that condition, I would not think you would be able to get a ton more out of the gun when restored when you factor in price of gun plus restoration cost.

[Marcus Hoogewind]

I mostly collect Winchester Model 12, 42, 70 and am a diehard all original kind of guy. I've always wanted a Parker 20 ga with open chokes. I am fortunate enough to know the Bachelder's personally and grew up going into the shop with my Dad. I've seen first hand what Brad can do with a Parker, give it a new lease on life and truly "restore" it to it's original glory. I wouldn't be making any money off the restoration but would likely break even if I was in a bind and had to sell. If I use it for 20-30 years, will it "need" a restoration? I don't know.

On the other hand I could leave it alone, have less into it and enjoy it just as much. This is my dilemma, I appreciate the opinions and comments.

Marc

[Mike Franzen]

Maybe if you wanted a restored gun to all it's original glory you could find another one that needed the work done to make it usable again.

[edgarspencer]

There doesn't appear to be anything in your photos that suggests the gun's life has expired, so I'm not sure I would characterize restoring this gun to new as giving it a new lease on life. Generally, there isn't anything in a cosmetic restoration that would extend the life of this gun. Even guns whose barrel bluing has all but gone will last with proper cleaning and normal post-use preservation.
There are many gun gunsmiths, whose work is well known, and regarded, however the experienced eye will always detect the restored guns from the pristine originals. All it takes is a scan of the big three gun sites to note that restored guns always lag behind good originals in the prices they realize.
I forgot what Dean calls it, but I have a similar way of describing how a gun "feels". They don't talk to me (and I don't see dead people) but they impart a warmth that only comes from a well loved, well cared for piece.

[Rich Anderson]

I mostly collect Winchester Model 12, 42, 70 and am a diehard all original kind of guy.


Marc

First off you have chosen a very nice example of a Parker shotgun for your first one. IMHO I would leave it as is. I REALLY doubt you would recoup the cost of restoration if you needed to sell it.

I have gone through the M12 phase but would still like a nice M42 solid rib skeet gun and I collect Pre 64 M70's so I ask you if this was a Winchester within your collector realm would you refinish it?

[Bill Murphy]

In answer to Rich's anecdote about Winchesters, I could not send a field used Model 42 solid rib skeet to the refinishers. I just bought a field used solid rib Skeet Grade 42 for $2100, a great price. Refinished for about $1000, it would probably be worth about $2800 or $3000, not a bad deal. However, if the refinish didn't come out perfectly, it would be back to $2100. Conversely, in seven years, the original gun would probably be worth more than the refinished gun. I will defer to Rich's opinion of my figures. I could go either way on the gun in question. However, an unmolested VHE 20, even in field used condition, is a rare bird.

[Bill Murphy]

A thought to consider. Every year, there are thousands more Winchester pump guns being refinished, as well as hundreds more Parker 20s being refinished. If you do the math, every year, there are thousands fewer original Winchester pump guns available and hundreds fewer original Parker 20s available for the market. As I said earlier, I am on the edge on this particular gun. If it were mine, I would be using it as is. In fifty years of collecting Winchesters, I have had one Model 12 and two Model 42s worked on. The Model 12 was not successful and the two Model 42s were successfully "tweaked" by someone whose work probably can't be duplicated at any reasonable price. That is the extent of my Winchester refinishing history in fifty years and probably 100 guns.

[greg conomos]

Leave the gun alone and satisfy your need to show charity to Burt by sending him a nice fruitbasket.

[Daryl Corona]

Marcus;
You have a gem of a 20 there. My modest collection of Parkers centers around 20ga. guns and yours is one that I would be happy to own in that condition. I would'nt refinish if it were mine but the way I see it every time someone refinishes a gun like yours, in that condition, it just makes my original condition guns worth more. Thanks for sharing that gem.

[Marcus Hoogewind]

You all make some very good and convincing points. I'll have the gun gone through mechanically and professionally cleaned and likely leave it as it is. I was on the fence about the restoration but not crazy about the monetary investment. The money I save on not doing the restoration I can put into another Parker or more Winchester.

[Daryl Corona]

In my opinion Marcus, money well spent. Good luck with your next Parker.

[Rich Anderson]

They are only original once. Enjoy it the way it is and pass it to the next caretaker when it's time.

[Marcus Hoogewind]

Good luck with your next Parker.

Looking for a nice 16 ga M/F for pheasants, or really any nice 20 gauges....Would love a 28ga but can't afford one...yet.

Thanks again.

Marc

[Rich Anderson]

Do you have a price range in mind?

[Marcus Hoogewind]

Sent you a PM.