Opinions on Two Guns For Sale

[Brett Trimble]

Gentlemen and experts, what do you think of this gun? Would you consider the price to be appropriate?

https://www.gunsinternational.com/guns-for-sale-online/shotguns/parker-shotguns-reproduction/parker-reproduction-bhe-2-barrel-set.cfm?gun_id=101354844

And what of this one?

https://www.gunsinternational.com/guns-for-sale-online/shotguns/parker-shotguns-reproduction/parker-reproduction-12-bore-2-bbl-26-28-quot-eject-bbls-single-selective-trigger-remains-as-new-in-99-5-cond-less-than-7-lbs-nice-wood-.cfm?gun_id=101385974

Best;
Brett

[Kenny Graft]

Both are nice shotguns....they are in line with the market values over the past year. We are in a soft market, some wiggle room may be there. SXS Ohio

[Brett Trimble]

SXS, thanks for sharing. I’ve only been looking seriously for a few weeks and I’m trying to wrap my head around what’s available and what market prices are, generally. It really helps to have guidance from the experienced!

[Bill Murphy]

Many Repros are out there for fire sale prices if you keep your nose to the ground. True bargains are gone real quick, so you have to be quick and thorough in your search. Don't know, but I would guess, that the guns you posted have been for sale for a long time.

[Gerald McPherson]

Whats with Parker Bros on a repro?

[Brett Trimble]

Bill,

Thanks for your reply! What would you consider a good price for the two guns I posted?

BTW, I really like the “B” grade gun but am scratching my head trying to understand why it’s so much more expensive than the “D” grade gun. Is it the sculpted fences, more elaborate checkering or just that there are fewer “B”s than “D”s?

Best;
Brett

[Brian Dudley]

For some reason they pit the “Parker Bros” name on B and A-1 Repros.

[Bill Murphy]

Brett, Brian Dudley may be a better source for prices than I am, although I have been in the Repro watching business since the beginning. I think the mid fives are a good price for a 12 gauge DHE 2 barrel set, and the mid tens might be a bit high for a BHE two barrel set. The holy grail of 12 gauge Repros is a double trigger gun with only one set of 28" barrels. Those guns will go up in price very fast in the next ten years at which point they become very expensive or unobtainable. Two barrel sets or 26" one barrel Repros with single triggers should sell for reasonable or lower than reasonable prices forever. Get up every morning and look at the gun sites for new entries and you will find what you want at a reasonable price.

[Paul Brannon]

Bill, you say that the 28" double trigger 12 ga is the holy grail? I have recently acquired a couple of repros from a relative that purchased them new and one is this configuration. It is also a SS version. It is nice but I still like my GH dimensions better.

[Gary Laudermilch]

I watch the repro market fairly close but not as much as some. So, take my opinion for just that. I think the B's are all over priced. When I purchased my first in the mid 80s you could buy a B for just a bit more than a D. For some reason the dealers now seem to think they are golden. Nice guns but not worth the $10k+ some are asking.

The D is a nice gun but nothing special. The price is pretty strong I think. Selling the fact that it is supposedly unfired. Lots of 2 barrel sets used but in good shape for quite a bit less, especially 12's

Keep looking. Perhaps http://parkerguns.org/forums/showthread.php?t=29859

[Brett Trimble]

Paul,

If it has a pistol grip and you’d consider selling it, I’m interested. :)

Brett
Brett.trimble3@gmail.com

[Brett Trimble]

Gary,

Thanks for the “parker wisdom”. I saw that one before it sold but I prefer a pistol grip. :)

Best;
Brett

[Paul Brannon]

Not at all interested in selling it because of it's history. I do, however, recommend that you keep searching for what you want and not settle.

[Brett Trimble]

Thanks very much, Paul. I’ll do just that. :)

[Paul Ehlers]

Bill,

Thanks for your reply! What would you consider a good price for the two guns I posted?

BTW, I really like the “B” grade gun but am scratching my head trying to understand why it’s so much more expensive than the “D” grade gun. Is it the sculpted fences, more elaborate checkering or just that there are fewer “B”s than “D”s?

Best;
Brett

The reason the B-Grade repro's often have higher asking prices is due to the perception of rarity.

According to published manufacturing numbers available. There were 2137 12ga's made in DHE grade, but only 100 made in 12ga & 20ga in BHE grade.

Only you can determine if the premium for the BHE is worth it or not.

[Ken Hill]

I can't remember on the B-grade engraving. Are they etched in the same method as a D grade repro?

Ken

[Brett Trimble]

Ken,

From what I read, the flat areas were machine engraved and touched up by hand. The rounded areas were done by hand.

Best;
Brett

[Greg Baehman]

Ken,

From what I read, the flat areas were machine engraved and touched up by hand. The rounded areas were done by hand.

Best;
Brett
There maybe some exceptions as these threads have shown:
http://parkerguns.org/forums/showthread.php?t=24329

The above thread has a link that takes you here showing an example of flat areas with game scenes that appear to have been hand engraved (the owner opines that all B-Grade Repros were engraved by hand using different engravers.):
http://parkerguns.org/forums/showthread.php?t=15589

[Bill Murphy]

And therein lies the reason why B grade Repros wiil never reach true collector status. Maybe Mr. Skeuse will give us a true story of the engraving on a B grade repro. A great addition would be a clue about how we would identify one from another. In the meantime, a B grade Repro is a questionable purchase, depending on price.

[Brett Trimble]

Wild Skies,

Thanks very much for the links. Extremely interesting!

What do you think of the B grade gun in my first post? The engraving looks surprisingly clear in the pictures - standard Repro pattern but well done to my eye.

Is this gun worthy of the $10.5k price tag? Whoever took the pictures really knows what he’s about. :)

Best;
Brett

[Greg Baehman]

Good pictures sell and Puglisi's photographer does a great job of taking pictures that do just that.

I have to ask Brett, what is your budget, what exactly will you be using this gun for and why a 2-bbl. set? (i.e. Will you use it as a hunting gun (upland birds or ducks), target gun, collectible gun, versatility, etc.)

The price on this 12-ga. BHE, in this condition, seems inline, perhaps with a little wiggle room for the dealer negotiating a cash outright or trade-in deal, that you'll find most dealers asking. This is their starting point, not necessarily their selling price. Having said this and without trying to offend anyone who's in love with this configuration (PG, BT, SST) this gun IMHO would be the least desirable of any configuration that Parker Reproductions were available in. Personally, I much prefer a straight grip, but I can live with a pistol grip in a target gun. In either case it must be equipped with a splinter forend and double triggers. :whistle:

If you're looking for versatility, a Parker Reproduction Sporting Clays Classic would be my nominee for the most versatile Parker on the planet. 3" chambers, chrome lined bores and choke tubes with the capability of shooting virtually any 12-ga. load offered today -- all in one compact package, makes it so. Add in the fact that there were reportedly only 125 SCCs produced, makes this particular model (dare I say?) rare and collectible.

[Victor Wasylyna]

With several real BHEs currently listed at $11k-$14k by a well-known (and expensive) dealer, I think $10k for a repro BHE is quite high. (Admittedly, I am not putting much value on the second set of barrels.)

-Victor

[Brett Trimble]

Wild Skies,

Budget; I would like to keep it under $10k; might go $15k for the right gun. I’ll use it for bird shooting; driven days in England, Doves, Chukar, Quail, Pheasant in Ca, Az, Baja. I hunt ducks too but not with this gun. :) I’d like a nice gun but one that wouldn’t break my heart if it was lost or damaged when traveling by air.

I like a pistol grip and double triggers. I need a LOP of 15.5in. This B grade gun has a LOP of 14.5. My other doubles measure about 14.5 to the rear trigger. My thought was to have double triggers installed which adds about 3/4 in. With a lace up pad it would be just about right. I do understand it would cost around $1200 to install the triggers, modify the trigger plate and case color.

I really don’t care about the second set of barrels.

A SCS would work very well for me - but I don’t see any for sale just now!

All the best;
Brett

[Greg Baehman]

Given your usage, I would recommend expanding your search beyond just 12-ga. guns, you might consider a small bore. Some say a 20/16 bi-gauge set is the mac-daddy of Repros. Others find a 28-ga. one or 2-bbl. set the ultimate lightweight weapon for 95% of their hunting and collecting needs. Many consider a 28-ga. Repro the jewel of all Repros.

The search is the fun part ... be deliberate, take your time, find one that meets all your wants without any alterations and then pounce on it ... they are out there!

[Brett Trimble]

Wild Skies,

I really love 16ga, but it’s got to be a 12ga for driven days. Arranging for shells is a little complicated. :)

[Victor Wasylyna]

Brett:

Are you dead set on a Repro? If so, why? If not, check out this beauty:

https://stevebarnettfineguns.com/parker-1-shotguns-for-sale/parker-bhe-12-gauge-2

I have no connection to this gun/sale. The price is probably negotiable and I think it is a much better buy than a $10k Repro BHE. It certainly gets my heart fluttering.

-Victor

[Scot Cardillo]

Given your usage, I would recommend expanding your search beyond just 12-ga. guns, you might consider a small bore. Some say a 20/16 bi-gauge set is the mac-daddy of Repros. Others find a 28-ga. one or 2-bbl. set the ultimate lightweight weapon for 95% of their hunting and collecting needs. Many consider a 28-ga. Repro the jewel of all Repros.

The search is the fun part ... be deliberate, take your time, find one that meets all your wants without any alterations and then pounce on it ... they are out there!

The Parker Reproduction 20/16ga sets are, indeed, the mac-daddy of Repro’s :whistle:

Greg however, is correct. The Sporting Clay’s model cannot be matched when it comes to versatility, b/c it can be used for about everything.

You’re going to be hard pressed to get better advice than what Greg (and others) have posted. Take your time and don’t become overly anxious. The only other thing I would add to what Greg said, is that if you haven’t actually handled a DHE, or B grade for that matter, do so.

[Brian Dudley]

I have been been impressed with the engraving on the B grades repros. In my opinion, you are just paying for a beaded fence and fancy wood/checkering. Not worth it now.

[Brett Trimble]

All,

Thanks again for the great advice. I’ll keep looking. :)

Best;
Brett

[Gerry Addison]

I have what I feel is a very usable set in 12GA. It has 26" Q1 & Q2 (which is my favorite upland choking) and 28" IC and Mod. It is a straight grip with splinter forend and a single trigger that was "tuned" by Bachelder. It is a very nice gun and I feel very functional.

[Scot Cardillo]

Here's the 12ga I'd be after if I was in the market.

https://www.gunbroker.com/item/863449141

[Rex Northen]

Wild Skies,

Budget; I would like to keep it under $10k; might go $15k for the right gun. I’ll use it for bird shooting; driven days in England, Doves, Chukar, Quail, Pheasant in Ca, Az, Baja. I hunt ducks too but not with this gun. :) I’d like a nice gun but one that wouldn’t break my heart if it was lost or damaged when traveling by air.



All the best;
Brett

Brett - I am a fan of the Parker Repros, but there are many great options for 12 gauge shotguns between $10-15k. I have seen Westley Richards Droplocks in that range frequently, a Joseph Lang Keylock, even Purdey's can be found for $15k or less with good dimensions (most won't have 15.5LOP, but PRs don't either), original condition and enough barrel wall thickness for decades of shooting. For real value, Charles Daly Prussian Diamond grades can be had for $5-8k.

I believe that is the challenge for the 12 gauge Parker Repros - COMPETITIVE GOODS. And it's why I think they only make sense in the 28 gauge D grades. For $5000-7500 what else is out there? Perhaps a few spanish guns and some Webley and Scott boxlocks, not much really, and many of the 28 gauge PRs are unused or lightly used.

[Kirk Potter]

Seems to me if someone was willing to pay $10,000 for a BHE.. This would be the better investment.

https://www.gunbroker.com/item/863604073

[Brian Dudley]

For sure! When people are still trying to get that for the unfinished A1 sets (with one barrel). That is a good buy.

[Rex Northen]

Here's a pistol grip 12 gauge for $3750, with the unusual Q1/Q2 choke

https://www.gunsinternational.com/guns-for-sale-online/shotguns/parker-shotguns-reproduction/parker-reproduction-12-gauge-dhe-shotgun-40-inventory-10166-41-.cfm?gun_id=101437408

[Bill Murphy]

The 26" Q1 and Q2 is not a rare, or even unusual combination, nor is it a particularly popular combination in today's world. Gerry's gun and the gun Scot linked us to are the rare and unusual combinations in 12 gauge. If the gun Scot linked us to was a double trigger gun and straight grip, I would be all over it. Even if it had one of those features, it would be gone by now.

[Greg Baehman]

I agree Bill, a 12-ga. 26" Q1/Q2 Repro is not unusual, nor rare. But, a 12-ga. 28" Repro factory choked Q1/Q2 would be very unusual and extremely rare. So rare and unusual it's doubtful there's a single example in existence.

[Bill Murphy]

Gerry, Scot, and Kirk's recommendations are the best Repros on the market today. The A-1, if it doesn't auction too high, is a great buy. I appears that good 12 gauge choices will all be gone when many great 28s will still be available.

[Brett Trimble]

Thanks to all for the thoughtful insights and advice. It’s interesting how much of this boils down to personal preference. :)

I’ve tried to be patient but I came across a straight stock, beavertail, double trigger Steel Shot Special at a local shop and it followed me home (or will after the waiting period). It’s in remarkably nice condition but the stock doesn’t fit me very well.

I may try to work with it - or try to trade or sell it.

Best;
Brett

[Ken Hill]

Congrats. You need to post a pic!

Ken

[Brett Trimble]

Ken,

I’ll post one from the store when I can find a decent hosting site. Which do you all use?

Brett

[Ken Hill]

Brett,

You can use this site for hosting your pictures. http://parkerguns.org/forums/showthread.php?t=21224&highlight=Posting+pictures

Ken

[Brett Trimble]

Thanks!!

[Brett Trimble]

I’ll post better pics when I get it home...

[John Allen]

Brett,The major reason the B grade gun is much higher is that there were only 100 12 gauge,100 20 gauge,and 12 28 gauge B grades built.They are much more rare than the A1 repros.The intention when the B grade came out was to build 100 of each gauge.The factory closed before the 28s were finished.There was one factory 28/410 built before the close.A few others 28/410s in DHE were put together here in the states later.

[Brett Trimble]

John,

Thanks for that insight, very helpful!

BTW, do you remember what the retail price was for the Steel Shot Specials?

Best;
Brett

[Greg Baehman]

The following two pics with pricing are located in the All Albumns section entitled Modern Parker Paper of this, the PGCA website. Most Parker Reproduction brochures and articles can be found in this section.

[John Allen]

Brett,The original retail for the steel shot specials was $2195.The same as a standard DHE.They quickly went up to around $3000 when the factory closed and production ceased.

[Brett Trimble]

Thanks to you both!

These guns are a bargain today. A D-grade one set if barrels, beavertail, cased would be almost $9,000 when adjusted for inflation. Interesting that they haven’t come close to keeping up with inflation...

Brett

[Terry Hobson]

About 4-5 years ago Morphy's had a 20 gauge BHE 2 barrel set, double trigger, straight stock, splinter forend, 14 3/4 LOP. Unfired if I remember correctly.

I bid up to $9500 then dropped out, and there would have been a buyers premium on top of that. I was always interested in a BHE but was just as interested in the configuration and LOP.