2 perfect Parker’s

[Tom McKibben]

Hello Parker Enthusiasts,

My a name is Tom and I’m new to the group and a new enthusiast. This may be a tad bit long, but here is my Parker story. It all started last year at the Wanenmachers Tulsa Arms show where I helped a friend and we sold a Parker reproduction. Had a nice box, 2 barrels and some bits from when it was new. I think the gun sold for 4,500 and was actually bought by a gentleman who owns Connecticut arms company. Fast forward to last Friday, I was at a small auction in Vinita OK and they had 2 Parker shot guns on the docket. They were in a glass case and looked to be near perfect. The gentleman running the auction said they never had been shot and from what could see they looked real good to me and my son who is a bigger gun nut than myself. I came home with both guns. After further inspection, yes they are in perfect condition. I would put them at a strong 95 if no 100% in condition. Yes, it is hard to believe and they also came with the original tag from the. factory and one had a directions tag. One is a Trojan 16 ga built in 1926 and the other tag says the grade is a Field 12 ga built in 1921. What I need to know is what I should insure them for. I’ve heard all the “they are worth what someone would pay” I want to hear. My son already has a 5500 offer on the 16 ga. I’m not wanting to sell “yet”, I’m enjoying owning them and learning more.
Thanks for any help. If I can figure out how to post pics I will. Not very tech savvy..
Tom

[Tom McKibben]

These are the tags

[Tom McKibben]

I will have the 12 ga pics tomorrow for you all.
Thanks Tom

[Dean Romig]

Hi Tom and Welcome!

That is a very attractive Trojan.

IMO those tags are suspect. Were they written in ballpoint pen? It sure appears they were.
Parker “never” listed the chokes in thousandths that I know of. They would normally have listed pellet count for each choke.
Sorry to be the bearer of bad news but then, I could be wrong.

Further, are you certain that stock is 13”? Measure it yourself from the forward trigger. It looks longer.

And on the other tag… “Field”??? Parker would have written the actual grade there like VH or VHE or PH or PHE and so on.



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[Andrew Sacco]

Dean were all hang tags written in pencil? The few I've seen photos of have been.

[Garry L Gordon]

I bought some hangtags from a dealer on Ebay. I'm pretty sure that's what I'm seeing here...but, still, a couple of nice Parkers is a treasure trove.

Welcome. You'll learn much from the folks here.

[Dean Romig]

Andy, mostly pencil but I've seen some written with an ink-well pen.





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[Randy G Roberts]

And then there is the typed version I presume....

[Dan Steingraber]

Looks like a beautiful Trojan.

[Dean Romig]

Thanks Randy - It would appear that Remington preferred to use a typewriter... wonder if it was a Remington typewriter?






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[Tom McKibben]

Thanks Guys,
This is why I joined. I will have my son start to take some closer pics of the guns today.
The 16 ga tag looks like pencil. The 12 ga does looks like pen to me.
These 2 guns look to good to be true. Maybe with more pics you can tell me if the have been restored and we will start to measure things for you all.
Thanks again
Tom

[Joseph Sheerin]

Nice looking Trojan, but IMHO... It appears to have had some restoration work on it.

Does that matter to you, that's up to you.

[Dave Noreen]

Most original Parker Bros. hang tags I've seen appear to be done with a fountain pen. The original Parker Bros. hang-tags have the serial number at the top. Here is a 1921 vintage tag --

117398

and a 1926 vintage tag --

117397

[Tom McKibben]

Tags are definitely suspect, but let’s get back to the guns. Here are pics of the 12 gauge. Let me know what you all think. Really looking for a value for insurance purposes.
Thanks Tom

[Dean Romig]

That vent hole in the bottom rib tells me all I need to know. Parker Brothers did NOT drill a hole there. That would only have been done when barrels were REblued by an aftermarket gunsmith.

The checkering on both guns is suspect as well, as is the case color.

I think both guns were very nicely refurbished but not exactly as Parker Brothers finished the Trojan models.

I suspect they may be "unfired" but only SINCE they were refinished.

JMHO - no offense intended.





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[Andrew Sacco]

Since you're a member of PGCA call Cole Cushman to have them insured. It's reasonable and he can get you a policy to cover those and other guns you may own.

www.gunandtrophy.com

[Jerry Harlow]

Thanks Randy - It would appear that Remington preferred to use a typewriter... wonder if it was a Remington typewriter?.

Maybe one made by the L. C. Smith & Bros. Typewriter Company?

[Dean Romig]

This is a picture of Ed Muderlak’s unfired $12k Trojan’s checkering. Note in particular the flat-top diamonds and the correct Parker Brothers’ mullered borders.


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[Tom McKibben]

Dean,
Absolutely no offense taken. I appreciate the help. I have restored cars and unrestored cars. This in my opinion just falls under what one prefers. They are what they are and I feel I’m in the guns right. At this point I need to know what they are worth. You can’t hurt my feelings, what’s your opinion?
Thanks again for your help

[Andrew Sacco]

Tom, it's very hard to place a value without handling them and seeing them. That question repeatedly comes up from members and there is likely to be no answer to that question. Cole Cushman will get you a policy that will cover up to something like $50,000 for $150 a year, and you don't have to list the guns. I have personally given up trying to find a value for my guns as the prices are all over the map. I paid $4500 for one gun that I can't give away for $2500 and another I bought for $2500 I was offered $4500 for. Don't get a policy through your regular insurance dude. Ask me how I know this.

[Randy G Roberts]

Dean,
At this point I need to know what they are worth.

Tom:

Go to Guns International, upper left corner of home page, quick search, type in Parker Trojan. This will give you a real good idea of values. Good luck !!

[Joseph Sheerin]

Looks like they are both nicely restored Trojans. As for their value, you can do research on places like Gun Broker and Guns International and see what guns like that are being sold for. Remember, asking price, and selling price do not always mean the same thing. I have seen asking prices on 20ga Trojans run from $1500 - over $6000. I would never pay $6000 for a 20ga Trojan, but maybe someone else would.

The value of a gun, is in the eye of the person wanting to purchase it. A gun I might not want to pay $1000 for, another might see as a value at $4000.

As a general rule, think of 12ga Trojans as being in that $800-1500 ball park. 16g guns maybe double that, depending on condition, etc. But, there is not hard & fast rule. A gun is worth, what another is willing to pay for it. :D

[Tom McKibben]

Thanks for the info.

[Brian Dudley]

The gun is restored. Not original. And the hang tag is a reproduction. They can be bought on ebay.

Nobody here is going to tell you a value. And if anyone does, it is their opinion. This is not an appraisal site. All I can say is that if your son has a $5500 offer on the gun, take it and run. The gun is not worth anywhere near that.

[Jerry Harlow]

"The gentleman running the auction said they never had been shot..."

Snake Oil salesman.

[Bill Murphy]

I don't think we got pictures of the 12 gauge yet, except one of the barrel lug. But we have plenty of pictures of the Trojan.

[Tom McKibben]

I posted pics of the 12 at 11:05. At the end of the day I appreciate everyone that has replied and all opinions. I’m proud to have these 2 new guns to me in my collection. I want to learn more and wait till next week. My son and I are going to look at a collection that he says includes a Parker 2 barrel set, BH grade. I hope to bring it home. If I do I will certainly share pics and look forward to everyone’s thoughts. Till then thank you and God Bless.
Tom

[Tom McKibben]

We did. Thank you

[David C Porter]

Your picture of the 12 gauge top rib @ Trogan steel where the arrow is, someone has added a small screw.

[Bill Murphy]

I've got it now. Both guns are Trojans. I missed Joe's post clarifying that.

[Dean Romig]

Why are the buttstocks identical in grain and that one tiny knot in the identical location on each?





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[Joseph Sheerin]

Your picture of the 12 gauge top rib @ Trogan steel where the arrow is, someone has added a small screw.

Looks like that's just the shaft of the arrow to me.... But, I can see where someone would think it looks like a screw slot. :D

[Joseph Sheerin]

Why are the buttstocks identical in grain and that one tiny knot in the identical location on each?





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Yeah, I am guess that's still a pic of the 16ga, either way, looks like same buttstock. :D