So What's the Grade?

[Bruce Day]

Something for the fellows to think about.

[Mike Franzen]

My guess is $150 and $200 grade

[John Truitt]

200 and 250

[Erick Dorr]

Both $200 grade.

[Gary Carmichael Sr]

Ser# 2344 I would say is a 200.00 grade and 3215 is a 250.00 grade, just my guess, Gary

[Angel Cruz]

"Above my pay grade" grade.

[Mike Franzen]

So Bruce, what are the grades??

[Dean Romig]

Boy, those dollar-grades are really tough to determine. They pre-date any standardization in engraving 'theme' and coverage, but stock work and checkering styles had been pretty much standardized,,, except in cases where some wonderful sculpting may have been ordered - as shown on 2344. There are only a minute few Parkers with that style of sculpting of the grip - I've only ever seen 2 or 3.

I'm going with Dr. John and Gary - 2344 is a $200 and 3215 a $250.

OK Bruce - "The envelope please." Which are they?

[Dave Purnell]

I was going to try to respond intelligently, so I went to the Dollar Grade Chapter in "The Parker Story" to refresh. Guess what? Both guns are pictured and discussed in TPS. The aforementioned guess of $200 and $250 is correct.

[Dean Romig]

Thanks Dave... Who would have thought those particular gun were discussed in The Parker Story!

Excellent detective work!

[Mike Franzen]

Well, I missed them both. I need to study harder

[Gary Carmichael Sr]

Parker Shotguns are and will always be among aficionados, talked about,and researched, because each one is in itself a work of art and craftsmanship. I have often wondered if the folks in Meriden knew that future generations would seek out these wonderful guns, Gary

[Mike Franzen]

I wonder about that too Gary. I don't think those early Parker craftsmen could ever have imagined a future like we live in today. As far as guns go I don't know if "collecting" guns had started yet. Collecting might be a more recent phenomena. I would be interested to hear what others know about this.