stock styles and gun value

[Daniel G Rainey]

It appears to me that English or straight stocked gun brings more than those with pistol grips. What about those with 1/2 grips ? there are many more pistol grip Parker guns than there are straight stocked guns and far fewer 1/2 grip guns than those with straight grips. Does the type of stock have an effect on price or does it just seem like to me? thanks for all input in advance.

[Dean Romig]

There are those who prefer pistol grips and there are those who prefer straight hand stocks. So, value is a matter of the preference of the individual. I guess they call it "subjective".

The fact that straight hand grips and half pistol grips (or round knob) are rarer probably won't figure into value unless the subject gun is a high condition or small bore collector gun.





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[Jerry Harlow]

I would always pay more for an English stock and as you call it a 1/2 grip over any pistol grip, and in Fox graded guns I always like the Prince of Wales grip over a pistol grip. Maybe its the rareness, or just the improved handling when shooting at game birds in flight. But its just what I like.

[Dean Romig]

I prefer the straight hand grip too, especially for a fast-handling double trigger gun in the grouse covers.





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[Wayne Owens]

The blue book of gun values adds 20% for a straight gripped Parker over a pistol gripped gun.

[Dean Romig]

Well, there you have it. Rarity trumps preference.





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[Greg Baehman]

If straight grips hold more value than pistol grips because of rarity, then logic would dictate that half grips would hold even more value than straight grips, eh?

[Rich Anderson]

I think it depends on just what the gun is. A factory straight grip Fox is a more difficult gun to find. Most Parker skeet guns were straight grip so a skeet gun with a pistol or half grip would be a rarer gun.

My preference has always been for a straight grip gun. Out of all the guns that will go to grouse camp only two will be pistol grip guns.

[Dean Romig]

If straight grips hold more value than pistol grips because of rarity, then logic would dictate that half grips would hold even more value than straight grips, eh?

Well, there’s the logic Greg, but in reality I don’t think that’s the case.





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[Mark Ray]

I own only one straight grip Parker, and only one “half pistol”. Both a little atypical for type! A “dollar grade” early lifter short ten in straight stock, and a VH 12 bore that has a scattering of additional factory engraving that Dean called doo-dads that wears a factory lettered half pistol. While I MUCH prefer a straight stock for hunting, and particularly for shooting rising/flushing birds, the half pistol/lightning/POW grips are next in line!

I have shot the VH quite a bit, and really like the way it feels. Seems that I have observed very few V or 0 grade guns with half pistols.

[Bill Murphy]

Rich is right about skeet guns being a bit scarce in full capped pistol grip. Has anyone seen a .410 or 28 gauge skeet with capped pistol grip?

[Dean Romig]

Yes, John Dunkle has a wonderful VHE .410 Skeet gun woth capped pistol grip and a BTFE.
It is a sweet handling gun - I’ve shot it .





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[Rich Anderson]

I believe Eric's 28 skeet is a full pistol grip.

[Reggie Bishop]

I prefer the straight grips myself as well. I only have one Parker that isn't a straight grip, a 20 bore with a half or round knob stock. I have had thoughts of trading it for a straight grip gun.

[Dave Noreen]

The Robert Stack BHE 28-gauge --

65498

and DHE .410-bore --

65499

both had capped full pistol grips.

In the Parker Bros. hammer gun era the pistol grip was a $5 premium over the straight grip.