Valuing an old 12 ga.

[John MacNamara]

I have a Parker 12 ga. double-barrel for which I would like to establish a value.
I have attached some identifying photos and could provide more as required.
Any assistance would be very much appreciated.

[charlie cleveland]

not much value in this gun...I would estimate 400 dollars....charlie

[John MacNamara]

I’m disappointed but thanks for your consideration.

[Andrew Sacco]

It's hard to assign value, but with a broken, pinned stock and hand etched choke "marks" it's not a valuable gun.

[John MacNamara]

Thanks Andrew. Would you please explain what you meant about a “ broken, pinned stock”?
Incidentally, (as if it weren’t obvious) I am very poor with computers and associated means of communication. I meant to include more photos in my original post.
Is the serial number 124870 relevant?
How do I know what model the gun is?
Thanks

[Andrew Sacco]

I don't have my serialization book to see some specifics of the gun. But as far as pinned, right behind the receiver (above the triggers) in the last photo it looks like there are two bolts or screws holding the gun together. They don't belong there, so surely that wood is broken/rotted or whatever in there.

[John MacNamara]

Now I understand. Thanks very much.
Any idea about identifying the model?

[Jerry Harlow]

Serial number? Barrel length? More photos?

[John MacNamara]

The serial number is 124870.
Barrels are 30”.
I’ll get some more photos tomorrow.
Thanks for your interest.

[James L. Martin]

Book says 12ga VH 30" Capped Pistol Grip

[Dean Romig]

The VH model is a Grade 0 which, except for the entry level Trojan (ungraded gun) is the lowest of the 9 grades.





.

[John MacNamara]

Model VH then. Thanks

[John MacNamara]

So there’s one opinion of $400. Does anybody think it could be higher?

[Brian Dudley]

Well, this isn’t really an appraising service. It would be best to do some research of sales sites for similar guns in similar condition to determine a “value” yourself.

[John MacNamara]

Will do. Thanks, everyone for your input.

[Harold Lee Pickens]

How are the barrels, are they pitted inside? That is very important to value. At least the gun does not have cut barrels. The stock may be able to be repaired to hide the repair, but will cost a little. It is a 2 frame 12 ga which is fairly common. The recoil pad looks dried out and deteriorated. It may make a fine shooter, but not command any high price.

[John MacNamara]

The barrels look good inside.
It was my father’s gun and his very keen bird hunting brother used to borrow it because it shot so well.
Thanks for your input.

[Dave Noreen]

Serial number 124870 was built in 1904. At that time the Quality VH was the lowest priced hammerless gun that Parker Bros. offered. There were more VH guns made than any other Parker, 12-gauge was the most common gauge, with 30-inch barrels the most common length. So, a gun in barely fair condition just doesn't have much market demand.

My father's waterfowl gun was the same gun, a 12-gauge, 30-inch, 2-frame, VH from a couple of years earlier and it still resides in my gunroom.

[Russell E. Cleary]

John:

If it would be of interest to you, there are surviving factory records on your gun; thus, you can obtain a research letter on it from this Association.

The cost is $100 for non-members and Forum Associates but is $40 if you are a Member of the Parker Gun Collectors Association (which is $40 annually).

I too have my father’s 12-gauge Parker VH, with 30-inch barrels, on a #2 frame. Ownership of it is enhanced for me by my having obtained a research letter on the gun.

[Harold Lee Pickens]

To me, the value of the gun is that it was owned and shot by your father. Is your father and uncle still alive? They may be able to provide an interesting history of the gun and how they used it. Do you shoot or hunt? My father died when I was a little boy and I would have loved to have had his Model 12, his only shotgun he ever owned.
The repair to the head may be sound ( or not), so the gun may still be shootable as is. There are gunsmiths that can hide/repair it--a new stock may be cost prohibitive unless you can find a replacement.
What part of the country are you in? There may be members near you that could give you some advice.

[Aaron Beck]

Parkers were made in a different era, though manufactured, handwork and individual attention to detail mattered. The guns were well balanced and well made. I would say that even if the gun is only valued at $400 in dollars, it is a far nicer piece of sporting equipment than you can buy new today.

[Andrew Sacco]

If it were me, and again this is my opinion, I would leave it as is and cherish what it represents. I lost my father recently and I would love to have something of personal historical significance like that gun. I wouldn't touch it or shoot it.

[John MacNamara]

Thank you all for your help. I inherited this gun when my father passed in ‘86 (my uncle a few years prior). I always assumed it was a good piece because he always bought good equipment: Snap-On for example.
My dad hunted on Point Pelee, Lake Erie back in the ‘40’s and ‘50’s. After that, it was used for shooting ground hogs.
I don’t hunt but I have a friend who shoots competitively and he is interested in maybe taking it over. Maybe giving it a good home is the best outcome.
Once again, thanks.
Merry Christmas.

[Garry L Gordon]

John, good luck with your father's gun. It's an privilege to be the caretaker of a part of history, especially your own family's history.

[Joseph Sheerin]

My take for whatever that's worth....

Given this was your Father's gun. I'd try to find a reputable "stock" guy to repair and possible recut the checkering and refinish the stock. The fact your father or someone in your family etched the chokes of the barrels on the flats is just added history on the gun. Like has been said, this is not a "collector" gun, and it's value comes in sentiment, not dollars.

Get the stock fixed, maybe have experienced gunsmith do thorough cleaning and analysis on it's shootability. Get some RST 12's and go shoot some birds with it once in a while. Rest of the time, hang it on the wall and cherish the memories it has been a part of.

But hey, that's just me... :D

[Jeff Christie]

Don’t sell it. You will regret it if you do. It was and is family. Family has value that is immeasurable. It may not mean a great deal to you but to some family member following on it will.

[Mike Franzen]

I agree with the don’t sell crowd unless you need the money, aren’t allowed anymore clutter or don’t want guns in the house. If that gun was owned by my Dad only severe desperation or mental impairment would be reason for getting rid of it. If I wasn’t going to shoot it I would leave it alone. If I was going to shoot I would send it to Brian Dudley and get it repaired. These are not run of the mill guns. Even though yours is a lower grade and not particularly valuable it is still a gun made to the highest standards of quality and workmanship this country ever produced. When this gun was produced it was beyond the means of most Americans.