Need advice, which auction house would/did you use?

[Robert Baeckel]

Hello everyone. Looking to sell my Parker GH, which auction house would/did you use? Also, I recently had a local appraisal done. Since the very knowledgeable members here see these on a daily basis, I would appreciate their opinions as well on its condition and value. The history, this was my grandfather's and when he passed it went to my father and then when he passed ten years ago to me. Serial number 201545, Model GH 12ga. with 30" Damascus barrels and 2 1/2" chambers with ejectors. The appraisal says 99%+ casehardening remains along with 99%+ scroll engraving on all sides and game bird scenes on the left and right sides and on the underside. 99%+ checkering on the forearm, pistol grip stock with grip cap, silver initial shield and Parker logo butt plate. Lastly, he states "Shotgun appears in like new condition and possibly unfired". I was only allowed five pictures, if possible I will add more pictures later. Thank you in advance, Robert

[Dean Romig]

As a Forum Associate you are not allowed to suggest selling your gun on the PGCA website.
Once you become an Annual Member ($40) you can sell all the Parkers you wish but selling guns here is a privilege of paid membership only.






.

[David Noble]

Robert, thank you for visiting the forums. I hope you will find this a friendly place, and indeed there are some very knowledgeable people here. You can, and should add more pictures to this post if you would like to have the best opinions on your gun.
Your gun is a very well preserved specimen, however I would not put it in the class of a "benchmark" gun. A 99+ percent case colored gun would have so small an area of loss that it would be difficult to even find and the colors would be more vivid and display subtle changes in hues and color throughout. What I can see in your pictures is that some areas are displaying a degree of fading and are developing a bit of patina. All that said, I am basing this on photographs that could be subduing the state of the case colors but I still would stick to my statement that they are less than 99+ percent.
The trigger guard has lost 80 to 90 percent of its original nitre blue finish, at least on the outer surface.
Would like to see additional pictures of the wood and checkering and the barrels including the barrel flats, and the breech face and water table of the frame.
From the pictures provided, I cannot agree that this gun has ejectors. I think it has extractors only, but I hope that additional pictures will prove me wrong.
Your gun has more condition than several of my own and I'm not faulting it by any means, but I believe the appraisal you were given was a bit over generous.

[Brian Dudley]

It looks to be a very nice gun. It is high condition. But it is not a 99% gun. Not even 95% by the looks of it. And I can assure you that it is not “unfired”.

A 30” Damascus 12g GH is a common gun. Yes, the condition is not seen every day, but I would say you may be disappointed in an auction sale. I think a private sale at fair market value is the better way to go for you. Or consign it to a knowledgeable dealer that can get that value for you.
There just is not much there, inherently l, to get people excited about at an auction. Just my thoughts.

[todd allen]

In my humble opinion, times would have to be pretty hard for me to sell a gun that was passed from my grandfather, to my father, and then to me. Money can't buy that.

[edgarspencer]

The Serialization book, not always gospel, says your gun should have 28" barrels. A letter may shed light on it's past, and for a member, is $42., vs $100 for a non member. Just joining the PGCA will save you a 20 dollar bill.
Selling a gun such as yours,at auction, by itself will net you much less than it realizes, and buyers are careful to take into account the buyers commission when they draw the line, especially on the lower grades. If getting it sold is your plan, Joining the PGCA and selling it to a member will get you the most.All that said, Don't quit your day job.

[Randy G Roberts]

From Grandfather to Father to you and you're selling it. There's either a really good reason for that which is none of my business or you're going to regret this some day. It's a nice gun but the best thing it's bringing to the table is the family history. Best of luck to you Sir.

[Patrick Lien]

That appears to be a nice old gun. If you paid for the "99% condition and appears unfired appraisal" then I would contact the appraiser and demand a refund. If you want to sell the gun for what it is worth simply list it on Gunbroker with 30 good clear pictures of all surfaces of the gun. Include critical data such as the chokes, stock dimensions, frame size, etc. Start the auction at $1 and in seven days this gun will sell for exactly what it is worth and perhaps a bit more. Lastly, no ejectors on your gun per the serialization book. If your appraiser told you it had ejectors then slug him when you are asking for the refund. Good luck!

PML

[Dean Romig]

But don’t slug him until after you get your money back.





.

[Randy Davis]

Beautiful old Parker! I don`t know a lot about value. But... I do know as a collector of vintage shotguns, I would be really,really happy to find a 100 year old shotgun in that condition...

Trap3

[Gerald McPherson]

Robert; Where do you live? That sure looks one I looked at recently.

[Robert Baeckel]

Thank you everyone for your responses, I will try to address them. Dean, I am aware of the rule on Forum Associate selling. I thought by having "which auction house would/did you use" in the same sentence implied that I was not attempting to sell here. I stand corrected, thank you.

David, I thought that percentage was high as well. My mistake in the ejectors, it says extractors. More pictures coming.

B. Dudley, I was thinking auction houses because it is mentioned in the FAQ here and the appraiser mentioned it as well. The consignments around here will only give store credit. How would I go about advertising for a local private sale?

Todd, my wife and I don't have children, nor do my siblings, two sisters. No one really close left to leave it to. Decided to sell now because when I pass my wife will not have to deal with selling. After seeing how much of a hassle it was for my sister-in-law when my brother passed, I think it would be much better to sell now. This way some one else can enjoy it rather then it sitting here as I surely will not be shooting it.

Edgar, I may consider your suggestions.

Randy, see above, and thank you.

PML, my mistake on the ejectors. How many guns have you sold on Gunbroker and what were the positives and negatives of going that route?

[Dean Romig]

Dean, I am aware of the rule on Forum Associate selling. I thought by having "which auction house would/did you use" in the same sentence implied that I was not attempting to sell here. I stand corrected, thank you.


Robert, thanks for responding. A lot of folks here consider what you did as "trolling" whether that was your intent or not. I would be very surprised to learn that you didn't receive a single Private Message asking what you hope to get for your gun. That's how trolling works... you didn't actually break the rules by saying you'd like to sell it and you didn't suggest a value either... BUT you did say that you wanted to sell it. Some folks see it as a very fine line but I don't. But then, I'm not a Forum Moderator :bigbye:





.

[Robert Baeckel]

Hi Gerald, I live in Pennsylvania and until now no one outside the family knew of it or has even seen it.

[Steve Huffman]

Robert nice looking gun and wherever you decide to sell please let us know .

[John Dallas]

Dean - Aren't private Messages available only to members?

[Robert Baeckel]

Dean, I have not received a Private Message and to those thinking of doing so, Please Do Not. If I decide to I will do as is required and pay the $40.00 to become an Annual Member.

Winplumber, will do.

[Dean Romig]

Robert, I wish you the best of luck in selling that fine GH. It is a beautiful gun in high original condition and should command a very good price.

Dean





.

[Gerald McPherson]

May I suggest that you join the PGCA and place it in the for sale section at a premium price. If it doesn't sell slowly drop your price until it does. If that does not get you an amount that satisfies you then move it elsewhere. You may be surprised what higher condition Parker will bring when offered to collectors. The one I looked at was priced at $4200. I was told it is gone but I do not know what it sold or traded for. Hope this helps. The gun I looked at was in higher condition from what your pictures show.
.

[Chuck Bishop]

Robert, if your near Harrisburg, I can give you
my opinion of the gun. You can contact me at pgcaresearch1@gmail.com

[todd allen]

That gun is simply stunning! I would love to know the stock dimensions.

[Patrick Lien]

PML, my mistake on the ejectors. How many guns have you sold on Gunbroker and what were the positives and negatives of going that route?


Robert, I have sold dozens of guns on the internet as have others here. I have had both good and bad experiences. Guns like yours are easy to sell on Gunbroker because they are exceptional in condition. Gunbroker does have pros and cons. The pros in my opinion are exposure and it is an auction with relatively low fees and it will by design determine the value of your gun. The cons are; it is the internet and there are trolls lurking. Also you need to know what you are selling to be able to measure up the gun and answer questions. lastly you have to pack and ship it to an FFL and give a 3-day inspection/return period to be fair to the buyer. So, it takes a little work if you do it yourself or you can pay a dealer to do the work for you for a fee/percentage. Either way your gun will be easy to sell and have MANY interested buyers. 1923 GH 1.5 frame with 28” barrels in fantastic condition are not common. Lastly, you live in close proximity to a great many Parker collectors. Have I said yet that your gun is an easy sell….. Good luck to you. Go slow and if you are close to Chuck take him up on his offer.
PML

[David Noble]

I agree totally with Patrick's post above.
Get in touch with "Pa SXS" aka Chuck Bishop (he left his contact info on page 2) and make arraignments to show it to him. He is the research chairman for the PGCA and an honest man that will not lead you astray.

[Kurt Sauers]

May I suggest that you join the PGCA and place it in the for sale section at a premium price. If it doesn't sell slowly drop your price until it does. If that does not get you an amount that satisfies you then move it elsewhere. You may be surprised what higher condition Parker will bring when offered to collectors. The one I looked at was priced at $4200. I was told it is gone but I do not know what it sold or traded for. Hope this helps. The gun I looked at was in higher condition from what your pictures show.
.


I think that’s a very sound idea. It’s definitely a nice gun and the guys here know what they are looking at. Even tho I’ve moved away from Parker’s I still miss the buy/sell board. I’ll probably never get the one I’d want now without re-upping

[Steve Huffman]

Just a question, How would you compare Roberts GH to the GH Puglisi has on Guns International #101728888 as far as condition .

[Brian Dudley]

The photos are not an accurate comparison. Pugs are very dark, the the OPs are outside in the sunlight. Which will show condition much better. But based on what I see, I would say that the OPs is higher condition than Pugs. It definitely has better barrel finish and more case.

[Bill Murphy]

There is some folly in comparing prices with a gun offered for sale but not sold. Pug's gun at $3300 or such may have been for sale for months or years. If it hasn't sold for $3300, it may not sell for $2300 either. However, the poster's gun seems to be a better gun than Pug's gun and may easily be a $3000 gun. The auction house will get hundreds in commission and buyer's premium, however. The only way the seller will get $3000 out of a $3000 gun is to avoid auction houses and sell it privately. If my high school algebra is still ticking, a bidder at $3000 would pay a buyer's premium at 25% of $750. If the commission rate is 20%, a $3000 bid would get the seller $2400. But, to get that $2400, he would have to attract a bidder who was willing to pay $3750 for your $2400 gun. It isn't fair, but most consigners at that kind of auction are dead guys, not astute sellers.

[Robert Baeckel]

Pa SxS, What would the cost associated with an evaluation?
Thank you

Todd if you tell me how to get the stock dimensions I will do my best.

PML, what do you mean by ship it to an FFL? I would not be shipping it directly to Gunbroker?

Everyone else, very good food for thought.
Robert

[Brian Dudley]

Gunbroker is an online auction site. Much like Ebay.
You list it, people bid, when it sells you ship the item. Firearms need to ship to an FFL at the buyers end in order to complete legal transfer of the firearm. This would be the case no matter how you handle the sale.

There are other gun auction sites like GunAuction, but Gunrboker really its the largest of its kind. Guns America is a Fixed price "buy it now" site. And Guns International is an online classifieds site. The gun is listed at a set price and the seller must be contacted by the buyer to buy the gun. Guns International is the largest site of its kind and is really the cheapest way to sell a gun, as it costs only like $18 now to list a gun on there up front with no additional commissions or fees after that. But, you have to put a price on it, and you cannot go up from there. So most start high at the risk of not selling the gun.

An auction site like Gunbroker would get you the highest exposure, with the highest chance of getting the maximum price at the lowest cost to you. If the gun sells for a few thousand dollars you would not may more than $100 in commission fees, if that.

Or, if you are not looking to sell yourself on the internet. Get it to a reputable dealer and sell it on consignment with them. And expect to pay around 20% to them.
But, I still do not think that consigning it to an auction house is the way to go.

Or, join the assoc and list it and sell it here. if you are not already well on your way to doing...

[Dylan Rhodes]

Pa SxS, What would the cost associated with an evaluation?
Thank you

Todd if you tell me how to get the stock dimensions I will do my best.

PML, what do you mean by ship it to an FFL? I would not be shipping it directly to Gunbroker?

Everyone else, very good food for thought.
Robert

Gunbroker is the ebay of the gun world with most often an intermediate step required, unless the ATF calls your gun an antique or you are familiar and savy with C&R licenses. For the sake of this conversation, lets just say none of those apply to you. You list the gun up for auction as a private seller, once the gun is sold the buyer has to provide an FFL dealer (colloquially referred to as gunshops) to ship it to. You should get a copy of the chosen dealers license to verify they are actually an FFL dealer, for obvious reasons. Once the FFL dealer receives the gun the buyer of the item then arrives at the shop and does the necessary paperwork to verify they are legally allowed to own it before being able to take it home. Gunbroker as an entity never touches your firearm or plays really any part aside from a platform to sell it.

[Andrew Sacco]

You live in a state with a lot of members, and close to NY State with a lot of members. If it were ME, I'd join, sell it here, and drive it if it's close to the owner or have the owner pick it up. I have had TWO guns damaged in shipping, both of them coming to me, both of them by reputable sellers, so shipping to me is always the Russian Roulette of selling on line.

[Chuck Bishop]

Robert, I wouldn't charge you anything for my opinion and that's all it would be, just my opinion on your gun. I can measure your barrels bores and chokes but not wall thickness. If I can help answer your questions I can do that too.

[Steve Huffman]

Thats a beauty the last set of pictures wow

[Robert Baeckel]

Now I understand how Gunbroker and the others work, Thank you everyone. Great advice for other options as well. I took more pictures today and found what appears to be rust that could only be seen when rotating the barrels in the sunlight. Never noticed it with the indoor lighting. Also, I have contacted Pa SxS.

[Andrew Sacco]

I don't and won't argue value or desirability, but I have a GH with damascus barrels and I think they're a thing of beauty. That's a nice example.

[Robert Baeckel]

I met with Pa SxS (Mr. Chuck Bishop). It was very gracious of him to offer his time and expertise. He was meticulous with his inspection and gave me a lot of information. I was very pleased with his opinion on the condition of my Parker. Anyone having the opportunity to conversate with him over Parkers should do so. This forum is very lucky to have him as a member. He also shared his great collection of shotguns. Thank you again sir!

[edgarspencer]

That sounds like the Chuckles we know and love.

[Chuck Bishop]

It was nice meeting Robert and his wife. The first set of pictures he posted don't do the gun justice. Look at the last 2 sets of pictures to get a good idea of condition. The case colors on the action I would say are 90%. There is no case colors on the forend release but that's not unusual. The stock and checkering are excellent and it looks like no screw has been turned. The lockup is tight. There are a few small spots of pitting on 1 of the external barrels but not obvious until felt. Bores are great. The only thing that could be nicer is if the Damascus pattern was bolder but it's not bad by any means. Overall, I would say the gun is at 80% the way it left the factory. A nice high condition GH 12ga.

[Dean Romig]

Chuck is the man!!

We kinda like him.





.

[Steve Huffman]

Any updates on this beauty ?

[Robert Baeckel]

Hello, there are two local people interested and I have contacted an auction house but have not run the numbers on fees, shipping, insurance, etc. I will post when I have made a decision or list it here. Thank you for your interest.

[Robert Baeckel]

Hello everyone, just wanted to give an update. Not really wanting to ship this I was able to make a deal with one of the two local people that were interested. After a little back and forth with the two of them I accepted an offer of $7500.00. Both parties were impressed with Chuck's information and evaluation. I would like to thank everyone for welcoming me and for all the kind words and information. Truly blessed with a great group of people here.
Thank you again,
Robert

[Bill Murphy]

:bowdown::bowdown::bowdown::bowdown:

[henderson Marriott]

This was an excellent commentary from our membership and personally
quite valuable. Superb insight from some of you that has managed to put my third generation family 1923 AAHE Parker in the proper perspective. Many thanks. HRM

[Bill Murphy]

Colonel, what decision have you made on the outrageous AAHE? We are all atwitter thinking about it coming on the market.

[henderson Marriott]

You have heard of "buyer's remorse"; perhaps there is also a "seller's remorse".
Unless the right person appears at the right time with a non-inflationary set of deep
pockets...
I may never acquire "seller's remorse". Besides, this shotgun is'nt eating anything or using gas.

_____________________________
It is kind that we may never know where all of our past shotguns end up.