Parker Trojan comments

[Chris Masters]

Hello
I recently purchased a Parker SS 12GA from an auction, i believe it to be a Parker Trojan (95% certain). Im just reaching out to the forum to see what others have to say. The Gun seems to be in very good condition but since its nearly 100 years old, im wondering if there was any work done (re blue mainly) The Shotgun is quite a piece of work, they dont make them like this anymore thats for sure, It just feels right in the hand. I am interested in the value of it because i did spend a bit more than i wanted to at the auction but i also am having a hard time wanting to part with it. any and all comments would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks Guys

[John Knobelsdorf II]

For reference, here is an example of factory finish (with modest wear) on a Trojan; see:

https://parkerguns.org/forums/showthread.php?t=35773&highlight=Trojan+case

The frames showed the colors from the case hardening process (instead of being blued).

Yes, there is something special in the way Parker Bros. guns feel in the hands and on the shoulder.

[Brian Dudley]

The gun has been re-blued. Possibly hot sale blued, which is not good. And the frame incorrectly blued. The stock also appears to be a replacement. If not, it has at least been refinished and incorrectly re-checkered.

[Chris Masters]

well thats a bummer, any recommendation on what to do ? can i still use it for trap ? i paid 800 for it, is this a total loss ?

[Andrew Sacco]

$800? Shoot it! Try to find any $800 shooter today as stout as a Trojan in an American SxS.

[James Brown]

Have the barrels checked for wall thickness, if they are safe, shoot trap, skeet, rabbits, squirrels, quail, doves etc. as you please. Jbrown what Andy said.

[Chris Masters]

$800? Shoot it! Try to find any $800 shooter today as stout as a Trojan in an American SxS.

Haha, I plan too. Ill take it to a local gun smith and have him give it a once over. Bummed out about the reblue but ill get over it.

[Chris Masters]

The gun has been re-blued. Possibly hot sale blued, which is not good. And the frame incorrectly blued. The stock also appears to be a replacement. If not, it has at least been refinished and incorrectly re-checkered.

Hey Brian
How would i tell if it was hot blued ? Just learned about this today.

[Brian Dudley]

The fact that every nook and cranny of the barrel lugs is blued. That can only happen by immersion in bluing salts. That will not look like that with rust bluing.

[Chris Masters]

The fact that every nook and cranny of the barrel lugs is blued. That can only happen by immersion in bluing salts. That will not look like that with rust bluing.

is there a way to verify this ?

[Brian Dudley]

is there a way to verify this ?

More than a decade of experience and handling/working on MANY guns.

[Chris Masters]

More than a decade of experience and handling/working on MANY guns.

so youre certain that the gun is hot blued ?

[Milton C Starr]

so youre certain that the gun is hot blued ?

Brian is a master at his craft I would trust his opinion.
There typically shouldn't be bluing on the lugs or extractor.

[Chris Masters]

Brian is a master at his craft I would trust his opinion.
There typically shouldn't be bluing on the lugs or extractor.

not saying i dont, but he said earlier its possibly hot blued, im just trying to confirm it.

[Tom Jay]

Think Brian was being considerate by saying "possibly". Meaning...it was hot blued.

[Arthur Shaffer]

The gun has been re-blued. Possibly hot sale blued, which is not good. And the frame incorrectly blued. The stock also appears to be a replacement. If not, it has at least been refinished and incorrectly re-checkered.

You should also have picked up on the second statement about the hot blue being "not good" and ask if he meant something other than its collector's value.

[Brian Dudley]

Well, you are asking me to concretely say, over the internet and without having the gun in hand, if 100% certain the barrels are hot blued. I cannot and will not do that. I will say that based on what I see, from the photos you show, the barrels were more than likely Hot blued. The lugs are not the only clue. But it is a good one.

If you want a definitive answer, then Get the gun to someone who knows what Hot bluing is Vs. Rust bluing and the appearance of both, let them see it in person and have them tell you.

[Chris Masters]

Well, you are asking me to concretely say, over the internet and without having the gun in hand, if 100% certain the barrels are hot blued. I cannot and will not do that. I will say that based on what I see, from the photos you show, the barrels were more than likely Hot blued. The lugs are not the only clue. But it is a good one.

If you want a definitive answer, then Get the gun to someone who knows what Hot bluing is Vs. Rust bluing and the appearance of both, let them see it in person and have them tell you.

Im more so asking what to look for to confirm that the gun is hot blued. I have a local gun smith that i go to here, ill ask him about it tomorrow.

thank you for your feedback

[Chris Masters]

You should also have picked up on the second statement about the hot blue being "not good" and ask if he meant something other than its collector's value.

im aware that a hot blue will eat the soder that holds the barrels together.