A little help

[Henry Rusack]

Hello Parker Community! This is my first Parker shotgun that I recently acquired. I was hoping to see if I could get some feedback on exactly what I have and what it may be worth. From what I can tell from what I have read on here, it's an 1891 Parker PH? Grade with twist barrels and a frame size of 1. I have attached pictures below. It seems the values are all across the board on gunbroker and past auctions. Thanks!

[Andrew Sacco]

I have less experience than most on here but can tell you that getting a value from this board is very hard for a variety of reasons. I CAN tell you that it's worth whatever was paid for it by the buyer (you). It does look like a PH to me I'm sure others will be asking for more detailed photos.

[Harold Lee Pickens]

Nice looking gun, it has had a repair to the head of the stock, that hopefully is stable. The condition of the interior of the barrels is a key factor to its value/shootability. I love the fishtail top lever, and wood grain is nice other than the repair, and a 1 frame 12 is desirable. What is the barrel length?

[Henry Rusack]

I have less experience than most on here but can tell you that getting a value from this board is very hard for a variety of reasons. I CAN tell you that it's worth whatever was paid for it by the buyer (you). It does look like a PH to me I'm sure others will be asking for more detailed photos.


Hey Andy, thank you for the reply. Although, I don't understand why getting a value from the board poses so difficult. I came to this forum to better understand what I have, from people that likely would have much more knowledge on this gun than I do. I think it is more than fair to question and determine what the market value of something is. Even if I were to sell it, I also would like to do my due diligence to understand exactly what I have before listing it to be transparent and honest about what it is I am looking to sell. There's a chance that maybe I have something that someone on here would love to acquire for their collection. I have no idea, hence why I am here.

[Henry Rusack]

Nice looking gun, it has had a repair to the head of the stock, that hopefully is stable. The condition of the interior of the barrels is a key factor to its value/shootability. I love the fishtail top lever, and wood grain is nice other than the repair, and a 1 frame 12 is desirable. What is the barrel length?

Thanks for the information Harold. Barrels are 28".

[Bruce P Bruner]

Hello Henry, it's a somewhat sensitive question to ask about a definitive value here. It's subjective, desirability is in the eye of the beholder. Some folks here are advanced collectors where grade, special order features and original condition are paramount. Others, like you come here to simply obtain knowledge about what they have. It's easier to give out known factory specifications about your gun than state it's value. New members are welcome here and answering a question about value can be difficult because members don't want to come off as all knowing and want to be respectful.
The PH grade was produced for a limited time and their production numbers are relatively low. It seems longer barrels are in vogue presently. The repaired head is something that hinders desirability greatly. The only way to find out an items true value is to list it on an online auction with the starting bid at one cent. Unless you absolutely need to sell it I wouldn't personally do this. I really enjoy owning and shooting vintage doubles and the pleasure of this enjoyment isn't based on value.

[Andrew Sacco]

Henry I didn't mean to offend and sorry if I did. Some guns I bought I thought I made the deal of the century (I didn't) and others I bought I thought I got robbed (I didn't). Prices are ALL OVER the place. You may find a collector here who simply wants to round out a collection of fishtail GH's who would pay handsomely for that gun, while I might not want to go over $2000. The advice to check closed out auction prices is a good one, even then you're only likely to get a broad range. By the way, welcome, it won't be your last one, I promise. They're incredibly fun and sturdy to shoot!

[Harold Lee Pickens]

As Andy said, hard to determine value from pictures. Barrels dont look bad, but hard to really see from pictures( does look like some minor pitting/frosting in bores), and a check of the serial# will tell if the barrels were ordered at 28"--many guns have been cut--if someone has the book they can check on that for you. 12 ga is the most common and least desirable of the gages. The value of a 20 may be double that of a 12.
Comparing it to other guns for sale, I'd say $750 to $900.

[Henry Rusack]

Henry I didn't mean to offend and sorry if I did. Some guns I bought I thought I made the deal of the century (I didn't) and others I bought I thought I got robbed (I didn't). Prices are ALL OVER the place. You may find a collector here who simply wants to round out a collection of fishtail GH's who would pay handsomely for that gun, while I might not want to go over $2000. The advice to check closed out auction prices is a good one, even then you're only likely to get a broad range. By the way, welcome, it won't be your last one, I promise. They're incredibly fun and sturdy to shoot!

Hey Andy, no offense taken at all! I will check out the recently sold prices. I just wanted to make sure that I wasn't missing any information on the gun before comparing.

[Henry Rusack]

As Andy said, hard to determine value from pictures. Barrels dont look bad, but hard to really see from pictures( does look like some minor pitting/frosting in bores), and a check of the serial# will tell if the barrels were ordered at 28"--many guns have been cut--if someone has the book they can check on that for you. 12 ga is the most common and least desirable of the gages. The value of a 20 may be double that of a 12.
Comparing it to other guns for sale, I'd say $750 to $900.

Thanks Harold. When I was researching I did read about the barrels being cut. From what I found I don't believe it was. Thank you for the info!

[Andrew Sacco]

I'm at work or would look in my serialization book for you Henry. That will give you a basic idea if the gun is as it left the factory. That book and membership are probably the two best small investments you can make. I know having both have saved me from making some expensive mistakes.

[Russell E. Cleary]

Ser. no. 67309 is not in the PARKER GUN serialization book, but there is Parker factory research info. available for the gun.

Regarding Research letters from the PGCA (from this website):

$100 for non members (Forum Associates and non PGCA Members)
$40 for PGCA members
Mail completed form to:
PGCA Research Committee
c/o Chuck Bishop, Chairman
PO Box 126502
Harrisburg, PA 1711

Henry: A PGCA Research Letter is specific to your gun; it is not general info. Well-worth knowing more about YOUR gun, as it was originally built at the factory, and if applicable, if it was returned for alterations or other work.

[Garry L Gordon]

Henry, I did not notice where you're located, but there may be a knowledgeable member or two close enough to look at the gun with you and perhaps take some measurements. You might try that. It would really help in establishing any market value. If you do become a member -- and I encourage you to do so -- you can check current "for sale" listings to help you make comparisons...and get your membership back on your first research letter(!)

[Steve Huffman]

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[Alfred Greeson]

Your serial number 67309 is not in the Parker ID & Serialization book so we can't check the barrel length but a #1, normally seen on a 16, with a fishtail lever is really neat to me and it has a nice piece of wood and you don't see many P Grades. Nice example of an early Parker. Enjoy!