Are Parker prices up, down or what??

[Andrew Sacco]

I just looked at a local gun, and to my mind it's crazy over priced. Private sale 20g Trojan for $5200 with 28" tubes :eek: I tried to tell the seller he was on crack, and showed him some sold listings, but he wasn't listening and held his price so I walked. Quickly. This is the SECOND 20g Trojan at or above the 5K mark in the past several weeks I've come across. These are good+ condition field guns not mint by any means. Is there any way to tell if Parker prices are rising, falling or doing anything in particular? Let's remove GB from the equation because that tends to bring out stupidity. I'm still new at this, and sometimes I'm just floored at what people are asking for things. So is this the result of the mania we're in or are prices truly expanding for Parkers (or American SxS for that matter)? By comparison he also had a 12g LC Smith hammer gun with Damascus barrels that seemed very very solid and pretty good dimensions and I think I can grab that for about $1,300. Sometimes when things start making sense they make no sense :banghead::banghead::banghead:

[Dean Romig]

I think Parker prices have been relatively stable for the last few years.
There’s a huge difference between asking prices and ‘sold for’ prices.
Let’s see what that Trojan 20 with 28” tubes fibally sells for…. if it even ever sells. That price is waay off the charts of reasonable asking prices.
Some folks who are not in the know but who THINK they are simply believe if it’s a Parker it must be a gold mine, and this is most often not so.





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[CraigThompson]

The Gold Mine thing can be said for Belgium Brownings as well as Pre 64 Winchester Model 12’s when those same type folks posses them .

[Mills Morrison]

20 gauge VH prices seem to be up for the moment. Emphasis on “seem”

[Andrew Sacco]

Thanks. I'm just amazed at times. I'm looking at another gun at a dealer and he's also very high for a 16g VH and he said it's a consignment and the seller set the price, so I can see that happening for sure. He said I could make an offer but I'm about $1,200-$1,500 South of his price and he said he knows the seller won't even consider that. I'll just keep checking back. The problem with seeing where things sell at is that there are a lot of people out there who will just pay it and that screws up the perception.

[Bruce P Bruner]

Cabela's recently had a VH20 that was a really fine, no excuses gun. They had originally priced it at $6K or was it $7K! After sitting for a couple of months they lowered the tag to $3K. While I was scratching my head "Boom" it was gone. High condition Parkers are and will always be in demand and seem to bring more than what one would think reasonable. The market is flooded with over priced Parkers with undeniable problems. Those guns will probably never sell at the asking prices. I'm content finding affordable examples that I feel comfortable owning and that in the future I should be able to break even or make a modest profit. I'm just an enthusiast, it's just a hobby for fun and amusement. I am also a member of "Parker Brothers Anonymous".

[Patrick Lien]

Original graded small bore high condition guns never stop going up. All others are speculative.

PML

[Aaron Beck]

Im not a collector but I tend to agree with Dean. To me, the internet has changed the game, magnified the apparent demand while restricting supply. Additionally, the search algorythms control the prices to their own advantage (ebay for one). Gun stores and individual sellers consult the supply when choosing their prices but rarely the demand side and since its theoretically easier to reach a buyer every would be speculator wants a "good" price as measured against perceived value. The shooting sportsman feature is just the type of press which keeps the demand up amongst eager but uninformed buyers.

[John Allen]

Clean original small bore guns of any make are bringing more than ever. Average hunting and using guns are very flat now. 12 gauge anything is slow to sell. I can remember not that long ago if you walked into a gun show with a Parker you drew a crowd. This morning gunsinternational has 460 Parkers listed. That really takes away some of the mystique surrounding any fine gun. Buyers want something that is rare and hard to find. Also, I have lately encountered buyers who do not shoot. They just collect. They want the guns perfect but will pay top dollar, It baffles me because I am a shooter and hunter first.

[Andrew Sacco]

John, I've found if you scroll down through those 460 a lot are duplicates? For example, a Trojan was once listed from Robin Hollow in the "NEW TODAY" section and again further down (it was still there last week). I have owned that gun for 8 months. There was a 12g VH on there three times as well and when I called about it, it was sold weeks before. Puglisi on two occasions had sold guns listed for weeks that were sold. I don't think we really know what the hell is out there anymore. I plan on going to the Vintagers to look around in person. I think from now on I'd rather just buy from folks on this forum or in person if it's something I want.

[John Allen]

That is the best way to buy. Nothing like having it in your hands. The point I was trying to make on the internet sales is that fine guns of all makes used to be considered rare and special. Now with so many listed they don't seem quite as special and rare as before. I agree that many listed are duplicates or old ads. However,many new buyers don't know that. All they see is a large number of guns listed. I have had customers tell me in the past "I thought Parkers were rare. Look how many there are on the internet." I always tell them "good Parkers are rare".

[CraigThompson]

It seems to me and this may sound like sour grapes . But it seems as if when I buy or want one the price is rather stout and when I wanna sell the same one you can barely give it away .

[Dave Noreen]

Probably half of those Parkers on GI have been cycling through as long as I've been watching.

[Mike Koneski]

I have a Parker Repro 20g 26” DHE in mint condition in the lodge for sale for a buddy. He is asking $4600. That Trojan is way over priced.

[Andrew Sacco]

I have a Parker Repro 20g 26” DHE in mint condition in the lodge for sale for a buddy. He is asking $4600. That Trojan is way over priced.

Mike, that's a nice gun. Very nice. I wish they made them in 16. To ME 20's are an enigma. A 16 that is light is MAGIC. A 20 that is light is just a 20. A 12 that is light is special. And that is where I'm wondering if I'm looking for an English gun or a 1 frame 12g Parker. I could kick myself in the head for passing up a British 12 a year ago, 12g 6 3/4lb 28" 2 1/2" chambered with English stock. Anyone can Eurotrash all they want, but I should have passed on the Parkers and bought it. The money wouldn't have bought a Parker 28 Repro. Dumb on my end.

[Craig Larter]

Over on the Fox forum we get a fair number of folks that just buy a Fox because they think it a good deal without doing any due diligence. Many are surprised to find out that their new trophy is not in the condition represented by the seller and the gun has major issues. These are the folks that some sellers count on to move damaged goods or overpriced examples. I'm sure the Parker marketplace is no different.

[Dean Romig]

Andy - we’re just as likely to find a nice light 12 on the 1 1/2-frame as a 1-frame. I’ve handled a number of light 1 1/2’s and have owned two that I bought mostly because of their weight. Both were from around 1903 - 1905.





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[Andrew Sacco]

Andy - we’re just as likely to find a nice light 12 on the 1 1/2-frame as a 1-frame. I’ve handled a number of light 1 1/2’s and have owned two that I bought mostly because of their weight. Both were from around 1903 - 1905.





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Dean that's what I'm looking for, but have yet find, let alone handle one. Maybe if I post WTB on here someone who is thinning the herd will pipe up : ) I really wanted that 20g Trojan, what a nice handling bird gun that would be, but damn he ain't budging on the price.

[Jay Oliver]

I think prices are up on all guns. Some sellers are fishing a bit with their prices and some are pricing at what we might call high and getting it. I also seeing high prices for guns with multiple condition issues. It does make buying on our forum or through a trusted seller/dealer all the more appealing.

Andy, I recently got a 12 gauge 1 1/2 frame with 28" barrels that weighs just under 6 3/4 lbs. You'll find a light weight 12..just keep looking...

[CraigThompson]

I think prices are up on all guns. Some sellers are fishing a bit with their prices and some are pricing at what we might call high and getting it. I also seeing high prices for guns with multiple condition issues. It does make buying on our forum or through a trusted seller/dealer all the more appealing.

Andy, I recently got a 12 gauge 1 1/2 frame with 28" barrels that weighs just under 6 3/4 lbs. You'll find a light weight 12..just keep looking...

While not a Parker I was on a Brit stalking forum that I chat on from time to time and someone asked about Ruger #1’s I made a comment that I was down to two and should go an and list them . A guy in Wyoming that also frequents the same forum sent me a PM wanting to know details and prices . I told what I’d start them on GB for etc and told him what I’d take . He sent the cashiers check the following day . Makes me think I might have priced them to low .

[Bruce Hering]

While not a Parker I was on a Brit stalking forum that I chat on from time to time and someone asked about Ruger #1’s I made a comment that I was down to two and should go an and list them . A guy in Wyoming that also frequents the same forum sent me a PM wanting to know details and prices . I told what I’d start them on GB for etc and told him what I’d take . He sent the cashiers check the following day . Makes me think I might have priced them to low .

Craig: I am a long time #1 guy. As I sit typing this I am looking at six of them. They seem to vacillate up and down in price based on model and caliber. I have stuck with some of the "off" caliber stuff like 22 BR and rechambered 6mm BR etc. I also have a re-barrel gun in 17 Fireball done by Mark Penrod with a Lilja barrel. All but one of my #1's have had trigger work done on them.

[Alfred Greeson]

Looking at this thread, Andy, it takes a while to learn. Often, you will buy a few and later see what is a good deal and what is not. It is easy to get Parker fever and jump in and then learn more and buy more wisely. I watched a nice GHE sit for over 2 years, not really over priced but it had an ugly white line pad on it and a length of pull at 15 1/4. Looked at it again and spoke to Brian and others about it and guessed it was sitting because it looked like the stock must have been cut but not true. I made an offer, sent it to Brian for a repro butt plate and a clean up on the wood and I am very pleased with a nice steel barrel GHE 28" with a 14 1/4 lop at a reasonable price 12 ga 1 1/2 frame at just under 7 lbs. Take your time, there are some nice Parkers out there with your name on them. Half the fun is the search and the expertise that will guide you is all over this forum and they're always glad to help.

[Andrew Sacco]

Thank you Alfred. I think my biggest mistake was over paying (maybe) for a GH that has been re-blued and re-case colored and re-stocked (the stock however is spectacular and I've posted it here). It is probably the first one I'll sell if I need to raise funds for another fun. I enjoy the hunt and enjoy just stopping into odd little gun shops. Unfortunately I haven't found anything magic yet but some interesting things have appeared. I'm still hoping this jackass realizes his Trojan is not worth over 5 grand :rotf:

[Harold Lee Pickens]

Apparently, a very nice VH(E?) 20 ga with 26" barrels walked into the Monroeville, Pa gun show Saturday. The gent was asking $4000. A good friend of mine examined the gun and said it was all original, but he is a Fox collector. Wished I had been there to see it and make an offer.

[CraigThompson]

Craig: I am a long time #1 guy. As I sit typing this I am looking at six of them. They seem to vacillate up and down in price based on model and caliber. I have stuck with some of the "off" caliber stuff like 22 BR and rechambered 6mm BR etc. I also have a re-barrel gun in 17 Fireball done by Mark Penrod with a Lilja barrel. All but one of my #1's have had trigger work done on them.

One of those leaving my accumulation is a rebarrel in 22-250AI it has a Lilja stainless barrel and a Canjar set trigger . I shot the smallest three shot group so far in my life with that gun it was .054” over the diameter of the bullet . My father bought that rifle I never did care for it . The other I’m selling is a plain Jane like new in the box 1B in 243 , I gave my pop that one for Xmas fifteen years ago . Worked up three loads for it , killed a deer with it pulled the scope off and it’s been in the safe ever since . Over the years I’ve had 40+ different #1’s all factory except the 250AI . Always wanted one in a 257 Weatherby , had them in 270 an 300 Weatherby . Also would liked to have had 1A’s in 6.5x55 and 7x57 but never pulled the trigger to purchase either . The only ones I truely miss in the 1’s I owned were a 1B in 264 Win Mag and a 1H in 375 H&H Mag .