Were to sell a Parker??

[Drew Port]

I have a Parker "G" Grade that was my wife's grandfathers and her family asked me to sell it. I would rate it in 30% Condition. I am having a hard time fining a place to sell such a gun. Thanks for the help also if any one would mind giving a value that would be great.

Drew
http://i289.photobucket.com/albums/ll203/rbs25446/IMG_0915.jpg
http://i289.photobucket.com/albums/ll203/rbs25446/IMG_0914.jpg
http://i289.photobucket.com/albums/ll203/rbs25446/IMG_0913.jpg
http://i289.photobucket.com/albums/ll203/rbs25446/IMG_0911.jpg

[charlie cleveland]

try gunbroker charlie

[Francis Morin]

I have a Parker "G" Grade that was my wife's grandfathers and her family asked me to sell it. I would rate it in 30% Condition. I am having a hard time fining a place to sell such a gun. Thanks for the help also if any one would mind giving a value that would be great.

Drew
http://i289.photobucket.com/albums/ll203/rbs25446/IMG_0915.jpg
http://i289.photobucket.com/albums/ll203/rbs25446/IMG_0914.jpg
http://i289.photobucket.com/albums/ll203/rbs25446/IMG_0913.jpg
http://i289.photobucket.com/albums/ll203/rbs25446/IMG_0911.jpg Not to contradict my good friend CC here, but now we are allowed to sell Parkers and other doubles on our Forum site- You need to be an annual paid member ($40) or a Lifer, I have no idea what you older Lifter Parker would bring, or what % Gun Broker charges--I would suggest you become a PGCA member, we have a great quarterly magazine, there are other areas for like minded guys to share thoughts- gun dogs, bird and waterfowl hunting, books, gun shows- and then you can list you gun for sale if you wish--

I would also suggest that you dis-assemble this Parker into the three component groups- barrels, buttstock with receiver and hammers, and forearm-- and get close ups as to all the markings and stampings you can see- also fotos of the barrels and both muzzle ends and the breech and any script on the top rib, etc--All these will help our guys who really know the older hammer Parkers (and others as well) ID you gun and offer their ideas as to what a fair marketable price would be- Welcome to the PGCA Forum--:bigbye:

[Mark Ouellette]

Hi Drew,

As Francis suggested, detailed photos of all markings on the:
1. Receiver watertable
2. Barrel flats
3. Barrel recoil lug (this is the frame size)
4. Muzzles
5. Top rib between muzzle and bead sight
6. Any engraved areas and close ups of the screwheads

7. Also, please measure the barrel length exactly.
8. What gauge is it? Probably a 10 or 12 gauge since it is an early Lifter action
9. Provide the serial number. We can check it in the Serialization and Indetification Book. Not all serial numbers are in the book however.
10. Describe the gun accurately to include:
a. Bore condition
b. wood condition
c. tightness of action
d. ???

Your Grade 2 has scalloped breach balls which may not be common. Normally those were found on Grade 3' s and higher.

You may also list the gun on doublegunshop.com and pay only $10 to "Dave" the site owner if the gun sells. I've sold a couple guns there over the years and also bought guns from listings on that site. I also sold a nice Parker to a fellow PGCA member via our For Sale member's section. It is a great feeling to know that my Parker is not another Parkerfile's possession!

Respectfully,
Mark

[Drew Port]

Thank you all so much for the help here are a few of the pictures you requested. I would say it is a little loose but not bad. I figure it is a Grade 3 based on my research.
http://i289.photobucket.com/albums/ll203/rbs25446/065.jpg
http://i289.photobucket.com/albums/ll203/rbs25446/063.jpg
http://i289.photobucket.com/albums/ll203/rbs25446/Gunpix003.jpg
http://i289.photobucket.com/albums/ll203/rbs25446/moregunpixandflowers016.jpg
http://i289.photobucket.com/albums/ll203/rbs25446/moregunpixandflowers017.jpg
http://i289.photobucket.com/albums/ll203/rbs25446/Gunpix002-1.jpg
http://i289.photobucket.com/albums/ll203/rbs25446/Gunpix001-1.jpg
http://i289.photobucket.com/albums/ll203/rbs25446/062-1.jpg
http://i289.photobucket.com/albums/ll203/rbs25446/059-1.jpg
http://i289.photobucket.com/albums/ll203/rbs25446/061-1.jpg

[Drew Port]

Also 12ga and i beleave it is a 28" barrel serial number is 11922 thanks again it is an 1878 based on the serial number look up on here.

Drew

[Francis Morin]

Also 12ga and i beleave it is a 28" barrel serial number is 11922 thanks again it is an 1878 based on the serial number look up on here.

Drew I'm not sure- was the serial number on the receiver's water table different than what was shown for the barrels-?? The firing pins both look to be same length as seen from the firing pin holes in the standing breech- just a "swag" but usually older hammer guns that have been fired a lot with the older powders of that day- may often show that by the condition of the firing pins and face of the breech- looks like a nice Parker, and we have many members in the PGCA that are very "up" on the older hammer series Parkers- and what's even better, shoot them today- after a good gunsmith check-up of course--

Please consider joining the PGCA. If I had a Stevens 511 12 I wanted to sell, then yes, like Mark, I would list it on the Double Gun Workshoppe- but you have a Parker- why not "hunt the pond with the most ducks using same"-- of course, there is a flip side- you might discover enough about not only your Parker but the whole world of Parker guns from this Forum, and decide to keep it as a fine example of hand craftsmanship[ from an era we will never know again in this land-IMO!!:bigbye:

[Eric Eis]

Drew get some oil on that metal, I think I am seeing rust around the firing pins and hammers. Eric

[Drew Port]

I would LOVE to keep the gun for myself but Grandma wants it sold and based on what i see the gun is worth $2500 ish and i can not afford that at all. Please if you guys could estimate a value that would help a ton. The serial numbers are all matching.

[Ross Berck]

Id say its a 500 to 1000 dollar gun. Thats a pretty wide margin so Im going to say $550. I have picked up from gunbroker auctions 2 of these guns in similar condition in the last year or two for less than $600 per gun. If you really want to know put it on a two week gunbroker auction at $0 with no reserve and see what it brings....dont waste peoples time with high reserve auctions to see what it is worth or you will lose a lot of bidders...JMHO from years of buying

[Drew Port]

The current Blue book shows this gun in 10% condition at $2450 why do you say its only $500 am i missing some thing? Thanks for the help

[David Holes]

Picked up a nice lifter 10 ga. for 600.00 3 months ago and I wouldn't even think about trading you. Someone might want that gun to fill in a collection, maybe. Put on gunbroker and start at zero with no reserve. At the end of a 7 day auction you will know exactly what its worth.

[Mark Ouellette]

Last month Holeshot also paid top dollar for a lovely Grade 3 Top Lever Hammergun that I should have bought! He knows the value of a good Parker.

[Bill Murphy]

Parker collectors will not miss a well described and well pictured Parker on gunbroker.com if there is no reserve on the sale. If there is a reserve, buyers will ignore the offering and you will get no bids. Maybe you could post a scan of the page in the Blue Book where this gun is estimated at $2450. You may be mistaking your gun for a different gun in the book.

[David Holes]

Hey Mark, shipped Brad B the barrels. Impressed with his ideas. Seems very knowledgable. Whats your idea for value on that old lifter?

[Ross Berck]

Drew, I am not wanting to offend you, just trying to help.
Blue book is tough to quote based on reality. I am a collector who really works to find a good deal on a gun. I see guns like yours quite often on fair market auctions and that is real world prices. If you check prices at big dealers you may see some priced very high but those are for the impatient buyer who has more money than time to find a real bargain. I dont think you have a chance of getting more than 1k for your gun unless you use it for trading material on a more expensive gun at one of those high priced dealers...Here are some current auctions, I know they are not exactly the same or same condition but if I watched for 6 months I would find one like yours for that price range
http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=213252452
http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=213900717
http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=214249315
http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=213482273


This gun sold for 2500 dollars
http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=196641907

[Jeff Kuss]

The Blue book only gives values on hammerless guns. You would be better off to watch Gunbroker or auctionarms to see what guns like yours will bring. You must go by completed auctions not what people are asking.
Jeff

[Richard Flanders]

Drew: it would be great if you could get to keep it. It looks like it needs a serious cleaning inside and out. I'd guess that most of us here would have it back in action in a few days if the barrels are sound. I can tell you they are very fun to shoot. I wouldn't give up on making it your own just yet. Figure something out.

[Francis Morin]

Drew, I am not wanting to offend you, just trying to help.
Blue book is tough to quote based on reality. I am a collector who really works to find a good deal on a gun. I see guns like yours quite often on fair market auctions and that is real world prices. If you check prices at big dealers you may see some priced very high but those are for the impatient buyer who has more money than time to find a real bargain. I dont think you have a chance of getting more than 1k for your gun unless you use it for trading material on a more expensive gun at one of those high priced dealers...Here are some current auctions, I know they are not exactly the same or same condition but if I watched for 6 months I would find one like yours for that price range
http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=213252452
http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=213900717
http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=214249315
http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=213482273


This gun sold for 2500 dollars
http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=196641907-- Russ- went to just the first of the four- the seller described that hammer gun as having ejectors-I don't think so- and I agree- the D Hammer you refer to singly- wow- what a fine looking Parker and I am sure well worth the $2500. I'd love to have it, even though it doesn't have the serpentine shaped top lever-:bigbye:

[Mark Ouellette]

Drew,

Put it on Gun Broker for a week or two with no reserve. The value will be the price offered. If you can afford it then bid. If you are the top bid then the gun stays in the family and the owner gets paid top dollar in today's market.

Or, if you think the price is at least $1000 then start at $1000 but if there are no bids then you pay the owner $1000.

The choice is yours.

[George Lander]

Drew: I would say that your Grandma's Parker would be worth a lot closer to $2,500 than to $500, but if at all possible it should remain in your family. At the very least, join the PGCA and order a letter (a total of $80) That will tell you a lot more about what you have. It is a Grade 3 ("D" Grade) That, in itself, is a bit unususl and fairly rare IMHO. The first four examples were all Field Grade or Grade Zero or One. The one that sold for over $2,500 was a Grade 3 ("D") like yours, but a later one with a toplever action. My suggestion, GET A LETTER! I just checked and THERE ARE surviving records available for SN 11922.

Best Regards, George

[Dave Suponski]

George, We believe this gun to be a Grade 2 gun.For me the three pin lock's in this serial range are a dead givaway.

[George Lander]

Dave: You might be right. I don't recall seeing a Grade 2 Lifter. What do you think is a "fair market price" for this gun?

Best Regards, George

O.K. I just checked the Grades Page here and it is a Grade 2 ("G") Grade gun.

[Drew Port]

If you need any more pictures please let me know i have it right here i can have them up in 5min.

[Drew Port]

Ok i just measured it. It has a 30" barrel and is a 12GA hope this helps

[Mark Ouellette]

Drew,

Is there a serial number on the side of the barrel recoil lug. A photo of that number, which must match the serial number on the receiver watertable, would be very important.

George,

When I compare the subject Parker to the condition Grade 3 Top lever that David Holeshot bought last month on Gun Broker for $3350 there is no comparison! David's gun needed only a little clean up.

You are correct that lacking the grade stamp on the watertable a Parker research letter is necessary to value this gun.

Mark

[Bill Murphy]

George is being quite kind in appraising the gun at "closer to $2500 than to $500". A little loose and no information about bores puts this gun in the category with the gunbroker examples that bring no bids regardless of low starting prices. It is a neat gun, but I would want to see it in person before estimating how much effort it would be to make it a prize.

[Russ Jackson]

Drew,The D Grade Hammer gun in the pic. that Ross Posted was my gun and I started the Auction at a penny and had a $3500.00 Buy Now price ! I couldn't believe how low that gun sold ,it was as described ,Excellent checking ,and excellent unmolested bores ,and the engraving was crisp and clean ,not to mention a D Grade Hammer gun ! With that said ,at the time of the auction apparently this was the value !You have gotten good advice here ,I think the estimates for your gun in the $600.00 to $ 1000.00 range are applicable ! If you post it as Francis said and as Bill also mentioned as a no reserve auction ,the received price will tell you exactly what its value is ! Just my thoughts ! If the gun means something special to you ,you should copy the collectors advice from this forum and show your Grand Mother and possibly you two can come to an agreement on the value and you will become the owner of a nice Parker ! Russ

[Drew Port]

Another question i have is is it safe to shoot? And if so do you shoot standard loads?

[Francis Morin]

I would have a qualified gunsmith check this Parker over carefully first. If you don't mind telling us where you live, chances are good some of the PGCA members can recommend a good double gunsmith. He will check for "on face" and minimum barrel wall thickness, any dents or damage to the barrels or ribs- And my guess is- if it passes that inspection he will recommend low pressure black powder or equivalent loads.

We are very lucky in that we have specialized ammunition companies that cater to our love of careful shooting these old treasures- RST, New Era and perhaps others- We also have many members who have spent a lot of time and study in working up reloads for older Parkers.

Do I see a hint that you might end up keeping this fine older Parker? Perhaps shooting it? If so, please join the PGCA- so much to learn and we are fortunate to have a membership that enjoys passing along such knowledge--I have learned a great deal since I joined, and also have learned that there is far more to learn--someone is always trying a new approach-:bigbye:

[Drew Port]

I live in Depoe Bay, Oregon and have been having a hard time finding any one around with much knowledge on Parkers.

[Jeff Kuss]

Try Keith Kearcher Bend, Or. 541-617-9299 He restores SXS shotguns.

[Eric Eis]

As Jeff said try Keith Kearcher he is very knowledgable on SxS. Eric

[Francis Morin]

As Jeff said try Keith Kearcher he is very knowledgable on SxS. Eric I'll gladly second what Jeff and Eric posted- I have friends who have had work done by Keith and he is top shelf-honest and a master gunsmith!! Let us know what you find out on that Hammer Parkergun--:corn::corn::corn::corn::corn: