Parker grade 4 hammer gun value?

[keavin nelson]

I haven't paid much attention to the hammer guns and ran across one that was tempting.

A 12ga, grade 4 top lever, on #1 frame in good condition. Barrels solid, no pits, locks up good, some CC on side plates, engraving good, stock wear is high w/ checkering worn smooth. Downside was the right hammer was a lower grade replacement, no engraving, and it isn't quite made in the same configuration so it isn't just the engraving that is at issue. While the gun locks up well, the top lever wiggles so something is worn internally..

So what is a gun like this worth? The hammer gave me great concern as I think finding a match would be tough, and making one expensive?

[Brian Dudley]

One... What are they asking? Two, any of us would need good pics of the gun to even try to speculate on the value.
Hammer guns abover grade 2 are not seen available for sale every day. And prices will vary greatly depending on condition.

[greg conomos]

It sure sounds like a desirable gun....but as noted you'd need to provide more detail.

[keavin nelson]

no photos available guys. The "metal" was in good shape, as I said the hammer issue was what I found troubling. Otherwise the gun was very sound.

Maybe the question is, what will it cost to put the hammer right?

[Bill Murphy]

What is the rib legend? No pictures? Safe bet for value estimate without pictures is $200.

[Mark Ouellette]

Maybe the question is, what will it cost to put the hammer right?

Finding a correct hammer will be hard. You might get lucky. The incorrect hammer should be a factor in valuing the gun. How much? Good question! It is correctable, maybe. So it is not like the half valuation for cut barrels. I'd knock off at least 25% for the mismatched hammer if I really liked the gun. Otherwise, reduce the value by more than 25%!

So what is the value of a similar condition gun in that configuration and grade? YOU should put in the work of searching online for similar guns for sale and that have been sold. Reduce the asking prices for a selling price. Keep notes and compare.

That's all I will tell you without good quality photos or the gun in hand.

Best of luck to you!
Mark

[Dean Romig]

Mr. Nelson, what price is the seller asking?

In any case, it is a scarce gun.






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[Craig Larter]

A good friend bought this 12ga Bernard TL Hammer gun for $4K this spring. Solid gun with virtually no CC on the external surfaces. One serial number off from the C Hammer in the Parker Salesman's portfolio. I thought it was a good buy. Sorry about the poor picture.
http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t2/clarter/DSC_0024C%20grade_zps9xyihlxk.jpg

[Dean Romig]

Craig, "Good buy" is a gross understatement! :whistle:





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[Bruce Day]

A new hammer can be made and its neither too costly or rocket science. Call Brad Batchelder

[Brian Dudley]

Reworking an original hammer would be my recommendation vs making a new one from scratch. Be careful if someone just claims they can make one. It may end up looking like something filed out by a gradeschooler.


And in regards to the original posters question, without sharing the asking price, we cannot advise if maybe its a good buy or not. And having no photos to share defeats the purpose of asking the value. Good Condition is a relative term at times from one person to another.
And if the price is low enough, the hammer could be a non issue. It would not scare me off much if the price was right.

[edgarspencer]

The hammer gave me great concern as I think finding a match would be tough, and making one expensive?
Not as tough as you might think. I needed one for a grade 3 lifter, and came up with a pair in a few days of searching

It would scare me off much if the price was right.
I suspect Brian meant to say it Wouldn't scare him off.

[Brian Dudley]

You got it.

If it was in great condition and in the $2k-$4k range, it could be missing both hammers for all i care and still be an ok buy.

[Dean Romig]

Be careful if someone just claims they can make one. It may end up looking like something filed out by a gradeschooler.


Just out of curiosity Brian - you posted this immediately after Mr. Day suggested contacting Brad Bachelder's.... Was that intentional?






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[Brian Dudley]

You asked the question...
If thats how you want to interpret it, i cant stop you.

:whistle:

[greg conomos]

I'll come out and say it...a Grade 4 hammer gun on a #1 frame? That's pretty dang sexy as far as Parkers go. I wouldn't let a hammer bother me one bit....I'd buy the gun then start advertising my need for a hammer. I'd also spend some time hounding/begging a few of the guys nationally who are known to have such parts tucked away. Worst case, I'd just live with the oddball hammer and wouldn't lose much sleep over it.

But....there are tons of details on this gun we have not yet learned about. My fantasy is predicated on the wood and metal being nice.

[Dean Romig]

You asked the question...
If thats how you want to interpret it, i cant stop you.

:whistle:


On the contrary Brian - through personal experience I know better. The work he has done for me and many, many others is testament to his capabilities and the manufacture of a matching hammer is well within those capabilities.






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[Rich Anderson]

When I was growing up I was taught if you can't say something nice about someone then don't say anything at all. Innuendo is just as bad.

Last week it was James Julia now it's Brad???:eek::nono::nono::nono:

[greg conomos]

I don't have any dog in that fight, but ....if you can't say something nice about someone, don't say anything at all? Doesn't that really pave the way for people to get away with bad behavior?

What if no one said anything bad about the guy who skipped out on their roof repair after taking a deposit? Or Ethan Couch? Or Adolph Hitler?

It must be OK to say things that are not nice sometimes, no?

[edgarspencer]

....if you can't say something nice about someone, don't say anything at all? Doesn't that really pave the way for people to get away with bad behavior?



While I understand what you're saying, Greg, It does not hold true that someone speaking ill of another person means that other person is, in fact, guilty of any bad behavior at all.

[Brian Dudley]

It was not my intention to pull this thread away from the OP's original subject. And forgive anything that my comments may have implied.

Lets get back to the business of this Grade 4. Or maybe there is nothing left to discuss.

[Dean Romig]

I'll repeat my earlier question - Mr. Nelson, what is the asking price on the gun?

Does it have Damascus or Bernard barrels?
Is the current barrel length original?
Can you tell us the serial number?

There are a lot of 'ifs' but I will again say that it is a scarce gun.






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[Mills Morrison]

Some pictures would help as well as the information Dean mentioned

[Steve Huffman]

I dont think it makes any difference what the asking price is for this gun . Mr Nelson asked what it would be worth from what he has posted and yes pictures , etc would help but asking price doesnt . IMHO .

[George M. Purtill]

While I understand what you're saying, Greg, It does not hold true that someone speaking ill of another person means that other person is, in fact, guilty of any bad behavior at all.

Edgar is spot on- talk is cheap.

[Gary Carmichael Sr]

To answer the question of value the group is right with out photos an evaluation can not be made! For reference here is a high original condition C grade, with 32" Bernard barrels, if in this condition the gun you are speaking of would be very expensive, Gary

[Gary Carmichael Sr]

three more

[Gary Carmichael Sr]

two more I guess

[Gary Carmichael Sr]

double click for enlargements, Gary

[Dean Romig]

I dont think it makes any difference what the asking price is for this gun . Mr Nelson asked what it would be worth from what he has posted and yes pictures , etc would help but asking price doesnt . IMHO .


I think in the absence of pictures, measurements, serial number, or anything else we all have requested..... the asking price is quite important.

If, for instance, the seller is asking $9,500 (which is entirely possible as evidenced by some of the ridiculous asking prices we see on Gunbroker) Mr. Nelson can be advised to steer clear or make a reasonable offer - which has yet to be determined because we have nothing to go on from Mr. Nelson.





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[charlie cleveland]

the gun in question with all things being as they were normal wear and tear for a hunting gun this old is probably worth about 2000 it being a higher grade gun...in my opinion...charlie

[Rich Anderson]

Without any supporting pictures, serial number and other information the original question is irrelevant. It would be like asking whats my truck worth, it's a GMC.

[Bill Murphy]

I wonder what a minty or mint Bernard Grade 4 hammer gun would be worth. We have seen a few on here lately. Don't know if they are refinished or original.

[charlie cleveland]

i have seen this gun or one just like being discussed....charlie

[keavin nelson]

thanks for the feedback men, decided to stick with the hammerless for now.

[keavin nelson]

/thanks guys for the input. I think it could be bought for $1200 on the right day!!!!

But I am sticking with the hammerless flavor for now.

[David Noble]

I think from your description in your beginning post that $1200 would be a no brainer.
Heck, get me in touch with the seller and I'll bite on it.

[Chris Travinski]

For $1200 it could probably be sold ten times over sight unseen. No guts, no glory!