1917 Parker 12 ga inquiry...

[Kathy Dubs]

I have an estate sale company and found this double barrel shotgun in a closet at a recent estate house. I'm looking for someone who might know how much it is worth and how I go about selling it. Here's what I found on the Parker site: Serial #176784, manufactured in 1917, frame size = 2, weight of barrel = 3-13, Grade = OV, Trojan Steel. Any ideas? Any information would be very much appreciated!

[Harry Collins]

Kathy,

Could you post some pictures? Condition is everything and the pictures will help us help you.

Kindest, Harry

[Kathy Dubs]

Hi Harry, I'm new to this site, so bear with me... I have 5 photos, but not really sure what I'm supposed to take a picture of. Let me know if you need something else. A friend told me the inside of the barrel is shiny like a mirror which means it's been well maintained. The man was a machinist that owned it. Thanks again for your help!
Kathy

Well, I can't figure out how to put the photos on. I thought I downloaded them, but I don't see where to attach them. Hmmm...

[Kathy Dubs]

Okay, I think I've attached the 5 photos. Duh... Thanks again for any help!
Kathy

[Dave Suponski]

Kathy,I will take a shot at this.From the looks of the picture's this Trojan grade gun is in honest well used and cared for condition.If the gun has not been altered in any way I would estimate this gun in the $1000.00-$1200.00 dollar range. Could you post the serial number? It is located on the trigger guard bow behind the triggers.

[Francis Morin]

Thanks Dave- I agree. Looks like the gentleman who owned this nice 12 Trojan took care of it, and I have owned two such 12 Trojans, both were sound well made shotguns, just not with the "niceties" of the Graded Parkers.

Kathy, this Trojan is an honest gun, and if you provide us with the serial number we can date it possibly for you. Not too many changes over the 1914-1940 (aprox.) run for the Trojan (OV) is the correct grade stamp- the 12 gauges were the biggest sellers, and always the std. No. 2 frame, which means this gun will withstand stout loads, should the next owner wish to use same.

Older doubles, Parkers too, were not meant for modern steel shot, if the purchaser is a waterfowler, as I like to think I am. But you can buy and shoot legal non-toxic loads to shoot in quality guns such as this one.

Maybe the owner was also, like yours truly, a Marine- in which case he knew that "There's never any excuse for a rusty weapon"!!:bigbye:

[Kathy Dubs]

Thanks you guys! The serial number is 176784. According to the Parker website it was manufactured in 1917. Do you think this is correct?

Much appreciated,
Kathy

[Dave Suponski]

Kathy,176784 is not in the "Serialization" book. Could you post a picture of the muzzle ends of the barrels?How long are the barrels end to end?

[Kathy Dubs]

Okay you guys, this serial number is in several places. I'm attaching 3 more photos that show it. The barrels are 28" long from end to end. I really appreciate your help...thanks so much!
Kathy

[Kathy Dubs]

I also have an Ithaca double barrel shotgun, I think 1907, if anyone is interested in that. I wasn't sure if this was a forum I could place photos of that shotgun also. If anyone would like to see photos, let me know.
Thanks!
Kathy

[George Lander]

Kathy: The Trojan Grade Parker became the entry level Parker formerly held by the Vulcan or VH Grade. At it's inception it sold for about $50.00. It is all Parker with some cost cutting measures such as the elimination of the "dolls head" rib extension and "snap-on" forearm. Harry, Dave & Francis are on target with their estimate of $1,000 - $1,500 if it is in the high condition that it appears to be. as for the Ithaca we would need to know the gauge, grade & condition. Generally speaking Ithacas don't bring as much as Parkers.

Best Regards, George

[Eric Eis]

Kathy you might post pictures of the Ithica on Doublegunshop.com There are quite a few people that know Ithica's over there.

[Francis Morin]

Eric is right Kathy- and some of those folks even know Ithacas as well! Your 12 Trojan's vintage? Just a WAG here, sn. range 171 xxx- yours has the small doll's head top rib extension. Later on, most likely to cut production costs, Parker eliminated that feature on the Trojan. I have a 12 Trojan receiver sn. 201713, it has the later style flat breech face.

I am thinking yours is in the 1917-1919 range, mine most likely was mfg. later in the 1920's.

It doesn't look like this Trojan was abused, stock uncut, original buttplate, the usual wear that field grade shotguns show, whether Parkers or other makes that had carbon steel case hardened frames.

If indeed the former owner was a machinist, my background somewhat as well, most all of us had to buy own tools and learned early on to take first rate care of all of them. Not saying that a Parker Trojan was a "tool" like a micrometer, but to my way of thinking, taking good care of all you posses is the sign of a good craftsman!

[Bill Murphy]

The request for a picture of the top of the barrels at the muzzle was a neccesary request. It will help for us to ascertain the originality of the barrel length. A cut barrel will lessen the value considerably. Thanks.