If one were to get into one's head to buy a C grade, what ought one's budget be?

[Bill Holcombe]

I know it is variable, and based largely on condition, and such.

However, I have acquired so far 12 ga version of a Trojan, VH, GH, and DH. I have played around with possibly pursuing a P or an N to fill it out, but every dang time I look in TPS the CH's and BH's start calling my name. A's and above are just too much for me( cost and sheer beauty...heck a BH is probably well beyond me) however, I would be truly interested in acquiring a shooter 12 CH or CHE. Not some safe queen or high condition gun, just a nice CH for hunting that would fit in the safe with the rest of my shooters. I have looked online at gun sites, gun shops, Galazan, Julia, etc, but I am not sure what prices should be taken seriously, and I already know that most of the guns on G, J's, sites are not what I am looking for.

If I was naming my target, it would be a CHE 12/10 on a 3 frame....but I know my limitations and beggers(me) can't be choosers(not me).

When I put my mind to it I can squirel away the money pretty good over a period of time when I have a goal in mind. That is how I got my Pigeon Grade Superposed.

So just ballpark idea for a shooter 12 CH or CHE what do I need to set my mind to. Steel or damascus whichever was cheaper, barrel lenght I am not picky.

I thank you gentlemen for your time.

[Brian Dudley]

Would be hard to find much for under $4,000

Most in any sort of decent condition are north of $6-8k

[George M. Purtill]

Its funny but I don't see Cs that often. I looked at one for a member who bought it at Julia's last auction. That gun was in real HONEST shape. Look it up. I can't remember the price but I thought it was very fair.

[Bill Murphy]

Kevin and I sold a nice shooter grade Titanic Steel 30" CHE from our table at Baltimore in March for about $4200 as I recall. It once belonged to me and I long ago sold it to another member.

[Brian Dudley]

Apart from A1 specials. C grade guns were made in the lowest quantity. Just not a lot of them ordered as compared to others.

[Bill Holcombe]

Yeah, unfortunately B's are still more expensive lol.

[chris dawe]

I paid $180.00 for mine :whistle: but it gets buried with me

[Bill Holcombe]

Sorry Chris, that isn't gonna get a thank you click from me :)

[chris dawe]

Even a blind pig finds an acorn once in a while ,I bought basically sight unseen ...I do consider myself extremely lucky on that ,although I did miss out on a D.M. lefever 16 with brass filled engraving I was told (read gold ) ,it would pitch the empty shells over your shoulder (read ejectors ) sold it for 150 bucks because he couldn't find shells for it !!!

[Dean Romig]

There are a few hammerless C's on Internet sites right now and they've all been there for quite a while, so apparently folks don't like them for one reason or another.

My advice to those looking for a C.... It you are holding out and looking for a lifter or top-action C-grade hammer gun, you may never get one. If you see one and you like it... it may be your only chance for years to come.

[Bill Murphy]

My first C was $700. The owner, a Virginia gun dealer, thought it was a Trojan.

[Dean Romig]

Ain't ignorance blissful?

[Craig Larter]

I bought my CHE Bernard for $2200. about three years ago and it got me started on a Parker ADDICTION! I feel very fortunate to have a CHE. Came from a small western NY auction.

[Brian Dudley]

Now that was a buy Craig!

[Gary Carmichael Sr]

C grade hammer guns are few and far between, and like Dean says if you see one for sale you better buy it if you are interested in hammer C grades with Bernard Barrels, My C grade top lever has 32" bernards,the gun is in original condition, and it cost accordingly, Gary

[Craig Larter]

Just from my observations (12ga guns only) a 30% to 50% case color DH with damascus barrels is about a $3750. gun. A CHE in equal original condition from the same era is a $5500. plus gun. I wouldn't sell mine for less than $5K (it's not for sale) it is very nice original condition but only about 20% case color. I think Bernard barrels add lots of appeal and $'s.

[greg conomos]

I tend to disagree in that it seems I am constantly seeing C's for sale, for what is said to be a low production gun. What is interesting is that there are relatively few Trojans and V grades for sale given the numbers that were built. I'm sure it has to with the fact that most C's were taken care of far better than most V's.

Sometimes it seems like of the 5500C's that were produced, only 7000 remain.

[David Dwyer]

I have collected CH/CHE's for over 10 years and decent , all original guns are hard to find. Yes, you can ocasionaly find a steal but one with 50% + CC, not abused, original wood an barrels is going to cost. Really nice restored C grade hammer 12ga Bernard was just offered by a member for $15,000. I have a nice CHE 12 live bird gun I was very happy to get for $11,800. I have three in the next Julia auction for 20,000+ each. JMHO
David

[Bill Holcombe]

Just realized I put c grade in the title. I would be looking for a hammer less gun not a hammer gun.

[Chris Travinski]

There are a few hammerless C's on Internet sites right now and they've all been there for quite a while, so apparently folks don't like them for one reason or another.

My advice to those looking for a C.... It you are holding out and looking for a lifter or top-action C-grade hammer gun, you may never get one. If you see one and you like it... it may be your only chance for years to come.

I think the reason they are slow to sell is the same reason there weren't a lot of them made, you can buy a much nicer (higher condition) DHE for a lot less money. Yes there are always exceptions, but in the eyes of many they are a little more gun for a lot more money. Different story if your a collector looking to complete a set.

Dean's Yoda like advice is the voice of an experienced collector, if you find what you want....buy it! You could wait a long time for another one to hit the market. It's only money:rotf:

[Dean Romig]

If you find what you want....buy it! You could wait a long time for another one to hit the market. It's only money:rotf:

If you find something even close to what you want in a C for your collection - buy it, you can upgrade later on as something better becomes available.

[Gary Carmichael Sr]

Go to page 10 of parkers for sale see my post guns for sale, CHE, 1 frame titanic barrels SSBP fulford single trigger, lots of case color, gary

[Bill Holcombe]

Thats a lovely gun Gary, but more then I could ever pay. None of my guns are real collectors as I say. They are shooters. I like them because they are parkers and I find them to be great examples of craftsmanship, but all of them from the Trojan to the DH are shooters that I bought because they fit my budget. If it will take me 10K plus to get a CH of any kind I can forget it now. 5-7k I could probably save up over a period of years.

[Gary Carmichael Sr]

I do not know why some hammerless C,s seem to not move, I would guess as said before there is not much difference than the popular D grade guns, I have one C grade top lever, and would love to have a lifter, but I cannot justify that purchase at this time, fortunately the gun I have has lots of what I believe to be original color, thought I would post a few photos, Bruce, you remember this old gal? she has 32" tubes 12ga, not many in this configuration, Gary

[Bill Holcombe]

Oh I am,certain it is along the same,lines as originally. You don't get enough of an increase for the price difference.

[Gary Carmichael Sr]

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[Richard Flanders]

I got my 28" 1-1/2-frame damascus CHE12 on this forum, I think, only because I was faster on the computer buttons than others. Seems others wanted it but were too slow. I didn't hesitate for more than 5 seconds. It's a lovely gun and has a lot going for it but wasn't near as cheap as some are putting in here for C grades, that's for sure. It's a great gun and has been a safe queen at Bruce Days for 2.5yrs now. Hope to have it in hand and be hunting with it this fall. I'd get rid of a bunch of other Parkers before I'd let loose of that one. If I didn't have a nice set of pictures that a distinguished Missouri turnip farmer took of it, I'd barely remember what it looks like and how nice it is.

[George M. Purtill]

If I didn't have a nice set of pictures that a distinguished Missouri turnip farmer took of it, I'd barely remember what it looks like and how nice it is.

I have been hearing this tale of the guy with the golden towels being a turnip farmer for so long I was believing it. But after meeting him in person, I noticed the lack of the usual tell tale turnip smell on his clothes. So I contacted the NRCS who put me in touch with the FSA for that district. This turnip tale is a hoax. The crop is rutabagas.

[Bill Murphy]

The pictures are wonderful. My guns are crap until I learn to take pictures. However, Muderlak didn't take bad pictures of my C top lever pigeon.

[Brian Dudley]

Apart from A1 specials. C grade guns were made in the lowest quantity. Just not a lot of them ordered as compared to others.

I wanted to clarify that I was not accurate in making the above statement. I double checked the production numbers in TPS on the different grades and they go down with each ascending grade. I made the above statement based on something I had heard in the past in regards to C grade guns. Can't remember where.

[Bruce Day]

Good answer.

Asking how much something old and used will cost is like asking how much does a 1950's Chevy Bel Aire cost. There are too many unstated conditions to give a meaningful answer.

[Bill Holcombe]

That is why I was asking for a range Mr. Day. It is easier to achieve something with a concrete goal in mind. :)

[Bruce Day]

The range for a decent C is $6000 to as high as $35,000 depending on gauge, configuration and condition. I have not seen a C 410 sell but that would probably be even higher. The last C 28 I saw sell went for $34,000. That was six or so years ago and would probably be higher today.

[Bill Murphy]

Bruce gave you a range. My range is $700 each for two C Grades I bought for that price a few years ago to my C Grade top action, #4 frame, 33" Bernard barrel, about 98% condition, that I would have trouble letting go for $35,000. If I had a 28 or a .410, we would be up around $90,000. Remember, I sold a nice CHE Titanic Steel gun for about $2400 at Baltimore just two months ago. There is your range. I solved the C Grade problem by buying single barrels.

[Bruce Day]

Well there you go. Be sure to buy your guns from Bill. Bill's range is $700 to $90,000.

[Bill Murphy]

The Baltimore gun was really not a bad gun, one of the first factory ejector guns. Bruce's first C was purchased after a late night phone call to me. I encouraged him to bite the bullet. He and I are both glad he did. The price seemed a little high, but he went for it. What a gun that is. We have both gone down the road for a C or two since then.