Here's Mine

[Chris Graves]

I have been looking at all of the Parker pics everyone has posted. I have never seen so many pretty guns.

Thought I would posts few pics of mine to get some advice and some idea of value.

It is a 0 frame 20 gage DHE serial # 1900XX ( 1920 ) . My maternal Grandfather bought it sometime in the 30s or 40s . He hunted a lot with it and gave it to my Dad in the 60s . Dad gave it to me in 1980. Now its time to pass it on to my son.

We love the gun and as you all know, they are a joy to shoot.

I had a couple of questions I hope you guys can help me with.

First, the ejector for the right barrel does not work consistently. Do you have any recomendations for a gunsmith in North Carolina or someone I should contact for repair ?

Secondly, even though I will never sell this gun, I would like to get some idea of a real value for this gun.

The barrels were reblued in the 1970s ( not Dad's idea and a long story ). It looks like a pretty good job and don't appear to be over buffed.

No case colors. Chip on the wrist.

Let me know what you guys think.

Thanks !!

Chris

[calvin humburg]

Thats really nice Chris.

[David Long]

I like it a lot I think around 6000 to 6500

[David Hamming]

Nice gun.
What an honor to be the care-taker of 60-70 years of family history.
Thanks for sharing.

Dave

[George Lander]

Chris: Call Jim Kelly at Darlington Gun Works, Darlington, SC (843) 393-3931 and talk with him about your ejector problem. Nice family Parker and 6-8K IMHO.

Best Regards, George

[Paul Ehlers]

Really nice Chris,

DHE 20ga in this condition $5000.00 to $8000.00

With your family heritage & knowing that every mark, blemish and wear spot was done with the hands of three generations going on it's fourth "PRICELESS"

[Chris Graves]

Thank you for all of the nice comments and information.

I will give Jim Kelly a call about the ejector.

I was very fortunate to get this gun and also a couple of well used and well loved 1940's vintage Remington shotguns. He loved to bird hunt and these guns are all a link to him even though he is long gone.

Thanks again,

Chris

[George Lander]

Chris: The one gun that I have is the Fox Sterlingworth that was my Dad's. It was the only gun that he owned in my lifetime. A few years before he passed I had the gun completely restored and gave it back to him. I could see the look in his eyes of remembrance of hunts, dogs and game long passed. That is the one gun that I will NEVER sell. It will go to my oldest son with the instructions to pass it to his oldest. To me that Fox is my tye to times long gone never to return.

Best Regards, George

[charlie cleveland]

george those have got to be words spoken only from the heart.... charlie

[todd allen]

Beautiful little Parker, Chris! Before you pass it down to your son, maybe you could write down a few of your favorite remembrances of your Grandfather, to include with the gun.
Let your memories, as well as this Parker be a link between your Grandfather, and his Great Grandson.

[Chris Graves]

Todd,
That's a good idea.

My son was less than a year old when my Grandfather died so he has no memories of him.

I only remember seeing my Dad shoot the Parker one time. I was shooting clay pigeons with some friends with the old Remington and had shot at a few with the Parker. Dad walks up and says "let me try one with the Parker". He said pull and waited until the pigeon reached the top of the arc and shattered it. He handed me back the gun and said"that's how you do it".

Best shooting lesson I ever had.

This year my son ( now 15 ) made the school shooting team. He has been using a Franchi over and under that I bought back in the 80's. It is a beautiful gun but does not even come close to the look and the natural feel of a Parker.

Chris

[George Lander]

You're wrong Chris. Your son will have memories of his Great Grandfather. They are contained in that Parker and he will feel them every time he picks it up until one day it will be his to pass to his child.

Best Regards, George

[Chris Graves]

George,
You really hit on something there.

I had briefly considered having the Parker completely restored. After spending an hour or so on this board, I realized that every scratch and all of the wear on this gun came from good times spent with this gun by everyone before me.

My son has already fallen in love with the looks and feel of the Parker.

I would love to have another one but that's just too much $$$ for me right now.

The biggest thing I worry about is damaging this gun in some way or another. After all, it can't be replaced.

I have probably only shot it maybe 20 times.

Dumb question...

Is it OK to shoot 2-3/4" shells or do I need to buy special shells or have the chamber reamed ?

Let me know.

Thanks !

Chris

[Daryl Corona]

Chris,
Buy some good 7/8oz. target loads [ Winchester,Remington, Estate, RST,etc.] and you'll be fine. Please don't ream anything, just enjoy shooting the old girl.
Daryl

[Dave Suponski]

I agree with Daryl....:)

[George Lander]

Chris: Your Grandfather's gun was made to shoot. Take Daryl's advice and use 7/8 oz. target loads or better still RST loads. Clean it properly each time you use it and it will be good for another hundred years.

Best Regards, George