Questions about a VH grade.

[Tom Black]

Hello, as stated in my introduction paragraph I've got the chance to buy a Parker VH and have several questions for you learned gentlemen. It's a 12 gauge, all original. Modified and full barrels. Plastic butt plate with the dogs head. Made in 1927. Bores are bright and shiny, solid rib is intact. Double triggers. Tight as a drum. Stock wood is okay, nothing to write back home about though. No cracks or splits in the wood, one ding between grip cap and shield. Receiver is pretty much all silver, not a lot of finish left on the barrels. It's just a very decent 91 year old shotgun. None of the screw heads are buggered. The owner is asking $2000 for it. Is this a fair price? Thank you for your help.
Tom Black

[Jeff Higgins]

Try and get some pics posted Tom.

[Kirk Potter]

To be honest, seems high to me.. You sure its a VH? or VHE?

[Tom Black]

Auto safety, no ejectors. Don't know if he will let me take any pictures. From what I've seen on sites like GB and GA I too thought it was a bit high.
Tom

[Brian Dudley]

I do not like to normally comment on prices too much, because it can all be relative. But, he is asking WAY too much for the gun given what it is in the condition that you describe. For a VH 12g to be worth that much (or more) it better have a lot of condition. And a frame that is all silver does not have that.

If you have $2,000 to spend on a 12g Parker, you can get a really nice gun. And even one in a higher geade than a VH. You just need to make sure you are buying the right one.

[Tom Black]

I know without actually seeing the gun or pics it's difficult to pass judgement on it. Any wild guesses as to what a fair price for it would be?
Tom

[Brian Dudley]

Based on your description... The closer you can get to $1,000 is about right.

[Tom Black]

Here's the rest of the story. This gun belongs to my cousin who is pushing 80 and he's had this Parker forever. His only son died earlier this year and he has no grandchildren. He is wanting to keep this gun in the family and has offered it to me for $2000. I honestly don't have a clue what its worth an don't know if he will come down on it some, if any. I'd really feel like I would be insulting him if I offered him half of his asking price. On the other hand, I too would like to see it stay in the family. Thank you guys for your generous help. I appreciate it.
Tom

[Brian Dudley]

Well, then your buying the gun will be an act of charity. A high asking price is a high asking price. Regardless of the situation.

Again, that valuation that I put on it is just my opinion, but i will say that (again, given your description) that $1,500 is the absolute end of the rainbow on that one.

[Steve Huffman]

Your doing him more of a favor then hes doing for you if you pay his price , Sorry but if I wanted a gun to stay in my family I would and will give it to someone . Not trying to be disrespectful in any way. Maybe show him the prices you were given here

[Jeff Higgins]

You can not place a dollar amount on sentimental value. For a 12 gauge VH to be worth that much it would have to be in really nice shape. With alot of case colors showing and the rest of the gun in almost unused condition. I would probably get off a few Christmas card lists if I sold family members $1000.00 dollar shotguns for $2000.00. But this happens all the time in the store. Someone brings in Grandpas old gun that for years they have been told was worth a gazillion dollars and I have to be the bad guy when I burst there bubble. Just compare it to the guns you see for sale on the gun auction sites that are similar to yours. But even then it is best to check completed sales, some of those guns have been for sale for a long time.

[Mike Franzen]

IMHO buying a “Family” gun is not like buying any other guns. There are factors beyond, “Is the gun worth what I’m paying”. In your case consider the relationship you have with your cousin. Also, you’ve stated you want to keep the gun in the family, so you aren’t going to sell it to make a buck. Will $2000 put a strain on your financial situation? If not, and you are close to your cousin and want his gun to be handed down then buy the gun on one condition. He writes down everything he can remember about buying it and using it. Keep that history with the gun. The worst that can happen is you get a few hundred dollars upside down. But, where else can you buy a Parker that was owned by your cousin?

[Tom Black]

All points well taken. As much as I'd like to see it stay in the family I won't give way more than it's worth. I'll probably see him the end of the week and go from there. Let ya know what happens. Thanks again.
Tom

[Gerald McPherson]

I had a hard time trading $1200 out of a very nice one awhile back. But that being said I have and use one that is well used but not abused that I doubt would bring more than $800. I may have as much as $1500 in it Years ago things were different before internet choices were fewer. No regrets about having that much in it because it fits me very well. That is worth a lot in my opinion. If you can shoot it that would help you decide. If does't shoot good for me then I'm not real happy. Hopes this helps. Gerald

[Daniel Carter]

Just a suggestion, if you have a few dealers in your area ask your cousin to go with you and listen to their offers. Average them and offer 2-4 hundred more. He will see the guns value in todays market and that you are offering a premium over that. Fair to both party's. I did that with my hunting partners guns when he passed by having a neutral appraisal picked by his brother, with the brother present then wrote the check to the widow.

[Stephen Hodges]

Just a suggestion, if you have a few dealers in your area ask your cousin to go with you and listen to their offers. Average them and offer 2-4 hundred more. He will see the guns value in todays market and that you are offering a premium over that. Fair to both party's. I did that with my hunting partners guns when he passed by having a neutral appraisal picked by his brother, with the brother present then wrote the check to the widow.

King Solomon could not have said it better:)

[Daniel Carter]

I don't know what to say,except thank you.

[Kevin McCormack]

One of the greatest benefits of this forum is the number of times that "clearer heads prevail".