Appraisal Needed - 20 Gauge CHE

[Andrew Ingersoll]

Hello,

I inherited this gun from my grandfather, an avid bird hunter. It was in decent shape, but I just had Geoffroy Gournet clean it up and it looks fantastic. I am in the D.C. area and looking for a local appraiser who can take a look at the gun and give me a well-researched estimate.

Thanks to Mark Conrad, I have the specs on the gun, which don't seem to be any different than what I inherited:

CHE hammerless, 20 gauge.
Two Acme barrels, 26 and 30 inch
Single Trigger
Original monogrammed A&F case, same monogram on base of stock.
Action is very tight.

Any thoughts on value on this board would be appreciated, but I'd like someone to handle the gun and provide me with a real world appraiser. I'm not likely to sell in this market, but I am curious.

Thanks!

- Andrew

[Josh Loewensteiner]

Andrew,

I will be in the DC area for work later on this week. Please PM me and perhaps we can make arrangements to get together in person.

Best regards
Josh

[Mark Ouellette]

Andrew,

A CHE 20 Gauge! Thanks for posting the photos for all to enjoy!!! You can post more photos as there is no limit...

Thanks again,
Mark

[George Lander]

Andrew: My guess would be $30,000 - $50,000. I would insure your gun for at least $50,000. I would bring it to the Vintager's at Pintail Point, Easton, MD this fall. All the knowledgeable Parker people will be there.

Best Regards, George

[E Robert Fabian]

Andrew, looks like a very rare and valuable Parker in many ways. I would like to suggest ordering a letter from the PGCA [look on home page] that may show your Grandfather ordering the gun. Would love to see more pictures and know the dimensions. Enjoy
Bob

[David Dwyer]

Andrew
Outstanding gun! I collect C grades an an all original two barrel set is a rare treasure. I would agree with George as to value. If you decide to sell it....
David

[John Dunkle]

Wow - your Parker is stunning!! Please do keep the pictures coming.. As well, if it is as it appears (correct & original), I think George and David have the current market value about spot on correct...

Simply lovely!!

And oh - welcome to the PGCA Forum Andrew..! You certainly know how to "make an entrance in a crowded room" ;)

Best Always,

John

[Bruce Day]

A lovely small bore Parker. Nice engraving theme, nice condition and much right about the gun. Your grandfather was more than just an avid bird hunter. This was a costly gun when purchased and would have been a special order through A&F, which was the top sporting goods store of the day.

My sense is that while prices have relaxed for many of the more common Parkers, prices have remained stable for the high grade small bores. I have a Parker from my grandfather, but it is a lower grade gun. John Dunkle, who posted above, has one of the top Parkers that belonged to his grandfather, and it was challenging getting it back into John's possession. I see others have suggested values, I might have other ideas, but private conversation after in hand examination is what is needed.

Here are three C grade 20's, which we had together for a hunt out where I am. There is another photo of one of them fitted in an A&F case, which are in themselves scarce and costly. I have little doubt that if you choose to sell the gun, there will be those ready, willing and able to buy after determining a realistic offer.

[Andrew Ingersoll]

Thanks, Robert. My next step is asking Charlie Herzog for the work order tag as Mark said it is available (even though the serial number listing does not include this gun for some reason). The initials are not my grandfathers, but I suspect it was his step father's or something. I'm just not sure when my grandfather acquired it either. Might have been a retirement gift to himself!

Andrew, looks like a very rare and valuable Parker in many ways. I would like to suggest ordering a letter from the PGCA [look on home page] that may show your Grandfather ordering the gun. Would love to see more pictures and know the dimensions. Enjoy
Bob

[Dave Suponski]

A very wonderful and important gun Andrew. Congratulations!

[Dean Romig]

A fabulous Parker Andrew! As they say in collector's circles, "Condition is everything." and yours appears to have easily 95% of it's original condition. Congratulations!

It looks like a very late '20's or early '30's Parker and there was a missing book or two in that range of serial numbers.

[Bill Murphy]

Andrew, PGCA resourses should be exhausted, but that is not the end of the research trail. Griffin and Howe has an Abercrombie and Fitch research service on their website. I am in the DC area and would be glad to help, but the ballpark estimate you received on this thread is not far off in a good market. If you would like to chat or get information on the Griffin and Howe research services, email me at wilmrph@verizon.net. Bill Murphy

[Eric Eis]

Since no one has mentioned it please take that leather covered cheek pad off the stock, the chemicals in the leather can damage the stock finish. BTW a very beautiful gun...

[Bruce Day]

True, just put it on if you need it while shooting and take it off after use. Besides it hides the wood and lots of Parkers had great wood.

[Andrew Ingersoll]

Wow, thanks for all the interest and advice. I really appreciate it. This is a great forum.

Here are a few more pics.

[Steve Huffman]

Andrew ,There is some things in life I would never sell unless I damn sure needed to and this would be one of them. Your grandfather must or does think alot of you so do him Proud and Take good care and enjoy this fine gun !!

[George Lander]

Andrew: Yours is undoubtedly the finest O frame 20 bore CHE that I, personally, have ever seen. I sincerely hope that you keep it and treasure it. The above advice about the lace on pad is correct. Take it off but keep it with the gun.

Best Regards, George

[Dave Fuller]

That is a spectacular Parker. Advice on removing drool from keyboards would be useful for this thread.