Help with Parker 12G info and value

[David Wimberly]

Greetings! I am new to the forum, and this is my first post. I am hoping to benefit from the experts here. Thanks for reading!

I have a Parker Double 12G that I inherited from my father. Serial # 183588. I am hoping someone here can give me information about this gun, an approximate value, and if there is a current market for this model. It appears to be in very good condition. Attaching a few pictures. Thanks!

http://i617.photobucket.com/albums/tt255/dwimberl1029/Parker/0326151835_zpsreptjvg1.jpg

http://i617.photobucket.com/albums/tt255/dwimberl1029/Parker/0326151838a_zpsqz6acmh8.jpg

http://i617.photobucket.com/albums/tt255/dwimberl1029/Parker/0326151837_zpsln9nwbx3.jpg

http://i617.photobucket.com/albums/tt255/dwimberl1029/Parker/0326151836_zpsmu0rlfsd.jpg

http://i617.photobucket.com/albums/tt255/dwimberl1029/Parker/0326151835c_zpscmlghdvu.jpg

http://i617.photobucket.com/albums/tt255/dwimberl1029/Parker/0326151835b_zpssiwqp3jb.jpg

http://i617.photobucket.com/albums/tt255/dwimberl1029/Parker/0326151835a_zpsn6ifwdu6.jpg

[Michael D Hankinson]

Can you post a couple more photos, details of the action flats with the barrels removed and the underside of the barrels at the breech end of the gun.

[greg conomos]

It looks like it was refinished either recently or a long time ago and never used?

[Eric Estes]

It looks like you have a V grade made in 1919. It is not in the serialization book so I can't tell you the original factory specifications, but there are record available for a research letter for this serial number. It is a very nice looking gun and to my untrained eye looks like it has some restoration work done. The case coloring looks to be the cyanide type which would have not been factory Parker, but done sometime later. I am sure some of the experts here can give you more information. What is the barrel length?
Congratulations on a nice family Parker! Those are the best kind. Can you tell us anything about it's history?

[David Wimberly]

Can you post a couple more photos, details of the action flats with the barrels removed and the underside of the barrels at the breech end of the gun.

Here are a few more:

http://i617.photobucket.com/albums/tt255/dwimberl1029/Parker/0326152132_zpsuw0ivgx8.jpg

http://i617.photobucket.com/albums/tt255/dwimberl1029/Parker/0326152129b_zpscimwpjpu.jpg

http://i617.photobucket.com/albums/tt255/dwimberl1029/Parker/0326152129a_zpsiuswk3lc.jpg

http://i617.photobucket.com/albums/tt255/dwimberl1029/Parker/0326152130_zps28lq0dpw.jpg

[David Wimberly]

It looks like it was refinished either recently or a long time ago and never used?

I don't know. My Dad passed in 2003. He had an index card on it that just said, "A valuable old double because of the name Parker", with my name written below, an indication that he wanted me to have it. He grew up in rural Mississippi. I don't know if the gun came from his father's side, or from my Mother's side. Both sides of the family were avid hunters. My Dad had stopped hunting by the late 1980's or early 1990's. He had a duck gun he always used (a Japanese Browning) and a Winchester he used for dove and quail. I can't remember him ever using this gun. If he refinished it, I never new about it. He did take good care of his guns, though. I have about a dozen of his collection (my brother having the other half).

[David Wimberly]

Can you tell us anything about it's history?

I am sorry, but don't know anything more than my last post. Thanks for the compliments on the gun! I have had it sitting in a gun safe for the last several years.

[Brian Dudley]

It is a restored gun.
Engraving had been recut. You can see it in a couple of the photos that the walked borders are double cut.
The colors are cyanide type which is not correct for an original Parker gun. And you can see a buffing line on the frame going back from the bolster. This is also proof of refinish. It is said that this is a sign of a Delgrego refinish based on the way they buffed/polished the frames out for coloring. But this is a result of the way the metal prep was done, not specifically who did the work.

But... Given that and the colors, I would wager Delgrego restored the gun.

[wayne goerres]

Restored or not it is a nice V grade and deserves to be hunted.

[greg conomos]

A lot of people hesitate to give values....but I'll tell you it is worth more than $1000. Less than $5000. More than $1500. Less than $4000. Probably between $2K and $3K assuming the bores are nice and the barrels are not cut. Probably closer to $2K than $3K.

[edgarspencer]

I would wager it was restored by Delgrego, most likely in the '60s to '70s. The case colors and stock finish are trademark Delgrego.

[George M. Purtill]

I agree with Edgar and others- looks like older DelGrego work. Whatever it is it needs a good cleaning or I need new glasses.

[Bill Murphy]

I agree that DelGrego probably did the work. On the off chance that your father had the work done, you might contact DelGrego with your father's name. DelGrego files his work by surname of the customer. He may be able to locate the file for your gun.

[George M. Purtill]

Bill is correct. They have the records.
While some people may not like the colors of their case hardening, their work is very good. They know what they are doing.