Recommendations from senior collectors to a novice wanted.

[James Henry Clarke]

I am very new to the Parker scene about 1 month in. I own a DHE 12ga 28" pistol grip splinter forend reproduction gun and it fits like a glove. For the senior experienced collectors out there who've had experience with all the different configurations grades and gauges. what would you recommend I look for next to begin my collection?

I would mostly be using it on the skeet and sporting clay fields and occasionally getting after quail, dove pheasant or grouse when the hunting opportunity presents itself, thanks!

[Mills Morrison]

Best place to start is join PGCA which you have done. Don’t be afraid or discouraged by early purchase mistakes. There is a lot to learn and it’s a fun ride

[Jay Oliver]

Hello James and Welcome!

I am not sure if I am quite a senior collector yet, but I have spent a lot of money on Parkers :)

Here are a few ideas:

1. How about a 16 gauge? Lots of history and they are wonderful to shoot
2. A hammer gun - In my opinion, Parker made the best American hammer gun. I really like the lifter action, unique and yet so functional
3. Damascus barrels, which you would get anyway in a hammer gun, are a work of art. Plenty of info and shells available for those.
4. Something that just speaks to you. Search GunBroker and GunsInternational there will be something you like, it may be a certain grade/gauge or it may be the condition or configuration of the gun.

Quick edit: Go to stores/events with sxs and see what you like and ask alot of questions. It is a wonderful journey!

Have fun and enjoy!
Jay

[Rick Roemer]

I would echo Jay’s comments to talk to people and go to events like the spring southern. Everyone I’ve met in this organization is super friendly and willing to help. We need new folks like you to keep it alive. Personally I would go for a similar DH Parker like what you have except a non-reproduction just to have one of each. 12 gauge will be the least expensive. I love the Damascus patterns on the old guns. Sub gauges are also another interest to consider. Get the Parker Story books you will be amazed at the craftsmanship and history.

[Kevin McCormack]

Ditto most of the above advice with another suggestion: Go to as many gun and gun-related shows within convenient driving distances for you, no matter how small or seemingly obscure (e.g., trappers conventions, decoy shows, etc.). You NEVER know what you may find at one of them.

Two of the best examples I know of: At a 100 +/- table local show in the reception room of a Holiday Inn on the PA/NJ border at Milford, the Hartman brothers of Elmira Arms fame contemplated leaving early Sunday AM since the show had been such a bust for dealers buying. Just before lunch time, their agreed-upon packup time, an overalled old geezer showed up with what turned out to be a De Luxe Winchester lever action (either an 1873 or 1876, don't remember) rifle in .45-90 caliber in around 70 % condition. Their table being first one in the door, they hailed him and began their patois. The old guy was gruff and said he wouldn't take a penny less than a thousand dollars for it. The Hartmanns relieved the old guy of his burden and decided to skip the hash house show lunch for a later stop at a fine dining establishment on the way home.

Similarly, I got "roped" into dropping my pre-teen son and his best buddy at a Renaissance Festival happening just outside of Annapolis MD in the mid-1990s, and had a couple of hours to kill before picking them up for our hour-plus ride home. I saw a sign as we took the exit for a gun show at the local fire house in Parole. WTH, I thought, you never know. It was terrible show with a poutpourri of themed dealers selling everything from modern replica tomahawks to WWII flotation devices. About half way through the tables, I came upon a pawn shop dealer who exhibited everything from Nazi helmets to Winchester roller skates to De Lavale milker rubbers (new in the box!). He also had out a screaming c. 1917 12 ga. 30" BHE Parker VR straight grip 12 ga. with TWO foreends, one Splinter and one beavertail. I gave him a hefty deposit on the gun and returned the following day, selling my nice 20 ga. Browning Superposed to another dealer, then bought the gun. It turned out to be a rare early prototype of the VR and second generation Parker single trigger, predating the catalog offering of both by some 4-5 years. I think my net outlay for the Parker was c. $2K. They are out there!

[Dave Noreen]

turned out to be a De Luxe Winchester lever action (either an 1873 or 1876, don't remember) rifle in .45-90 caliber in around 70 % condition.

Cannot be so. To be a .45-90 it would have to be an 1886. The largest thing the Model 1876 came in was the much shorter .45-75, and the Model 1873 was made for the much shorter .44-40 and .38-40 with the .32-20 being added in 1882.

As for the OP, I'd highly recommend buying and reading the books. The two-volume set The Parker Story, the Larry Baer books and the Ed Muderlak books. Seek the advice of those here before money changes hands.

[Jerry Harlow]

A copy of the book:

Parker Gun Identification & Serialization

Some are asking several hundred dollars for one. I will p.m. you one I found very cheap so no one else buys it before you can get it.

[James Henry Clarke]

Kevin thank you for the story and advice it reminds me of the first (and only because I'm only 22) shotgun that I bought. I was scrolling through page after page on GB looking for a model 23 Winchester pigeon grade. My dad always talked about them but had sold his when my parents separated. During the search through the pages I came across an interesting listing of a 28ga field grade 101 skeet gun with 28" barrels it was being sold along with some other quality doubles by a widow for a very reasonable price of 1500. The gun was still in the cardboard box with wax paper wrapped around it when it got to me, unfired.

I will make sure to check out the gun shows and search around online and definitely pickup some Parker literature so I can better understand the history and identification.

[James Henry Clarke]

J, thanks and please do I'm a broke marine but what I can get away with when I know it won't offend my wife too much I will.

[Randy G Roberts]

He also had out a screaming c. 1917 12 ga. 30" BHE Parker VR straight grip 12 ga. with TWO foreends, one Splinter and one beavertail. I gave him a hefty deposit on the gun and returned the following day, selling my nice 20 ga. Browning Superposed to another dealer, then bought the gun. It turned out to be a rare early prototype of the VR and second generation Parker single trigger, predating the catalog offering of both.

Kevin do you recall if this early gun had an engraved or roll stamped rib legend? I keep thinking that PB had to be successful on at least a few roll stamped ribs and that an early gun will surface with one. Maybe, maybe not...

[Kevin McCormack]

Randy as I recall the rib legend was hand-engraved. Also the doll's head rib extension was profiled to meet the curvature of the breech balls and the groove in the rib extension was shorter and cut deeper than the later factory rib installation of later VR guns which were longer and flatter across the top of the breech.

[Kevin McCormack]

[QUOTE=Dave Noreen;417400]Cannot be so. To be a .45-90 it would have to be an 1886. The largest thing the Model 1876 came in was the much shorter .45-75, and the Model 1873 was made for the much shorter .44-40 and .38-40 with the .32-20 being added in 1882.

Yeah Dave, I am likely off by 10 model years here; mostly likely an 1886.

[Andrew Sacco]

I don't follow any sort of logical step in burning through wads of cash, though many do. I've seen it like this:

One may collect grades such as DHE's in various gauges
One may collect just small bores or large bores or hammers..etc

I primarily buy "shooters" that are between $1,500 and $5,000 and I shoot them a lot and hunt with them. They are not going to win beauty prizes but they have never failed me. In hindsight I somehow accumulated a bakers dozen of the damn things and half of those are 16g on the light 0 frame. So I think that will be my focus going forward. Just be forwarned even if you don't have the money you will find the money to keep buying them, just tell yourself it isn't gambling or crack cocaine. It will help you sleep at night.

[Bill Murphy]

I don't understand all of Andy's post, but I understand his collecting of hunting guns. Over the years, I have accidentally come into a large covey of better than hunting guns. I will never dispose of my more than sufficient collection of hunting and shooting guns, but those "better than hunting" guns will be disposed of in the next few years. They are better appreciated by younger and richer collectors who can write the checks and end up trying to dispose of them when they reach my age.

[Mike Koneski]

James, welcome to the addiction!! Follow the advice of asking question and attending shows and shoots. Local auctions and classified sections of the newspaper are good sources to find a sleeper that won't break the bank. There's nothing wrong with higher grade guns but do not discount Trojan, V and G grades. They are solid guns and will break clays and take game with any other gun out there. They're easier on the wallet too. Just sayin'. I buy like Andy does, just more frequently!! :rotf::rotf: Solid shooters that have honest wear. I don't care if a gun is refinished either as I shoot them. I shoot them a lot. I don't buy safe queens or collector pieces. I do prefer longer barrels for my clays guns so that's what I look for in a Parker. Not so much with my hunting guns. And yes, I buy guns for clays and different guns for hunting. As I said, welcome to the addiction!! :cool: If you invest in a PGCA membership, you'll find so much info on this site that it can make your head spin. You will also find some fine Parkers for sale in the members only sections. Once again, welcome to the addiction. Next thing you need are Hawaiian shirts. All the cool kids wear them on Friday during a shoot. Just sayin'.

[Tracy Pellett]

James , since you want to shoot I would recommend have a professional gun fitter determine what stock dimensions fit you. That will help you narrow your search .

[William Davis]

Camp Lajune your not far from MidSouth Guns in Wagram NC. I bought my first Parker from Philip Futrel there. He told me to pick one out,lay it on the back table, then another and a third. Three out remove the gun I liked the least and replace it with one off the rack.Keep it up one gun will stay and the one to buy. After a dozen others later,n some from Mid South I still have it and it’s my favorite shooter. Nice condition 30 inch VH 12.

It’s a amazing shop last visit several years ago he had over 100 Parker’s on the wall racks. Equal number of LC Smith. Smaller amount of Ithaca’s and Fox’s. Entire right side of the shop wall racks with American SxS guns with a few nice Model 12’s. Left side European SxS guns mixed with O/U’s and a few European Autos. Berettas and Browning’s

Floor racks center of the shop mostly racked vintage rifles, in closed cases pistols. There is a section for black and camo plastic it’s not very big.

More you look better you will buy. Spend the winter with Mid South be ready for the Spring SxS in Sanford NC with a much larger selection to choose from. This long answer sounds too good to be true, get your wife to pull Mid South up on Facebook & look at the photos.

William

[James Henry Clarke]

William thanks for the suggestion I forgot to mention but should have in my original post that I don't know of any gunshops nearby that sell fine doubles. Several places up by where my wife is from in south western Michigan like Vintage Firearms, Bachelder to name a few. I'll have to swing by MidSouth when I get a chance.

[Mills Morrison]

Mid South Guns is a must if you are in the area. Their prices are mostly high, but you can find some decent deals if you look. And looking is the fun part!

[Craig Larter]

Easy to buy, hard to sell. Buy the best original condition Parker you can afford. Find a experienced collector to hold your hand. Go slow, become a student before you part with cash.

[Brian Dudley]

Andy , You still have Your Baptismal and First Communion Money, and I heard
the ''Only Time'' you loose any weight is when you make a ''Deposit in the Bank''

Harry


Coming from the guy who wont even spend a dime with a food vendor at a shoot. Too expensive.

[Andrew Sacco]

Andy , You still have Your Baptismal and First Communion Money, and I heard
the ''Only Time'' you loose any weight is when you make a ''Deposit in the Bank''

Harry

Harry I see you're still ticked off I don't buy your over priced items : )

[Brian Stucker]

Hello James , I see you are a Marine, ''Thanks For Serving'' this great Country.
ALL PARKER'S are the same on the inside, the higher grades have more lipstick in various shades. In other words a Trojan will do any thing a AAHE will do. Save your money for now, all those high priced Parkers will be dropping in the near future. More than 80% of the Parker Guys are Old Guys :):) and their high priced Parkers with be Low Priced Parkers shortly. :):)

Harry

I've been thinking the same thing...who will buy all these expensive guns?

[Reggie Bishop]

I've been thinking the same thing...who will buy all these expensive guns?

Maybe the same type folks who buy vintage autos, vintage motorcycles, coins, art, wine etc? Folks have been collecting various items for a long time. I suppose there could be a sudden end to that trend. Only time will tell.

[Brian Stucker]

I've been thinking the same thing...who will buy all these expensive guns?

Maybe the same type folks who buy vintage autos, vintage motorcycles, coins, art, wine etc? Folks have been collecting various items for a long time. I suppose there could be a sudden end to that trend. Only time will tell.

The world collects the items you mentioned. May be wrong here, but are a significant number of Parkers owned outside the USA? You are right; time will tell. Got a BHE to sell some day and hope I can get my 20k back...lol.