New guy with Parker question

[GustavvonHalbach]

Hello everyone,

Wanted to ask your opinions about a Parker I ran across.

It's 12ga, 28inch Damascas barrels, serial number 90803 (which I believe puts it as a 1899) and seems to be in decent condition. Asking price is $1,500.

My first question is....the price....too high or about right?

Second question....the Damascus barrels....frankly they scare me. I'm in coastal S. Carolina and my regular gunsmith says "I don't recommend you shoot ANY Damascus firearm". Thus, if I were to buy this Parker, I'm going to have to find another 'smith' to even examine it.

Please give me some advise.

Thanks in advance.

-G

[Russ Jackson]

Hello Gustav; and Welcome to the forum,Everyone on here will tell you ,you will need a lot more info. before you receive very much advice , you will need to know the serial # of the gun ,if it is listed in the serialization book most here will be able to tell you how it left the factory ,Barrel length ,grade of the gun etc.,as far as the Damascus barrels ,you will need a competent gunsmith to check the bores for pitting and barrel wall thickness etc. to make sure it is sound ,and even then you will or should buy low pressure loads to shoot ,I would suggest starting with the serial # and pictures if possible and you will soon get a very good idea if this is a gun you want to pursue ! Good luck with your purchase ! Russ

[Dave Suponski]

Gustav,90803 is in the "Serialization" book as a D2 12 gauge with capped pistol grip stock and 30" barrels. This equates to a GH grade Parker with extractors. A fairly common gun as there were about 17,115 guns made in this gauge,grade and barrel length. We love pictures....

[Richard Flanders]

And Gustav, don't worry about the damascus barrels until someone has thoroughly evaluated them. Take a look at more posts on this forum and you'll see that many of us shoot damascus guns by choice. If the barrels are in good shape they can likely be fired for generations more with relatively low pressure smokeless powder loads. You can reload your own or there are companies that make loads specifically for old shotguns like yours. At any rate, stick around the forum, do post some pics if you can, and you'll get all the help you need from the knowledgeable folks here.

[Larry Frey]

Gustav,
Are you sure the barrels are 28"? Dave quoted the serialization book as showing 30" barrels. If the barrels were cut 2" it would affect the guns value significantly. Try to post pictures of the muzzle from the top and end.

[GustavvonHalbach]

To everyone who has replied - Thanks, I appreciate your input.

To follow up-
I do not have photo's as I do not own this Parker...it is for sale locally.

I will take a tape measure and check myself the barrel lenght asap. I was told "28 inch" but, owner could be incorrect.

As mentioned before, should I purchase this Damascus gun, I will need to locate a gunsmith who is willing to examine it...my local smith is not comfortable with Damascus.

Based on what I've mentioned and the fact that this is a "fairly common" Parker...what do you think about the $1,500 price?

Thanks in advance for all your help.
-Gustav

[Dave Suponski]

Gustav,Without at least seeing some good pictures of the gun the guy's here(my self included) are going to be pretty wary of giving out a value "sight unseen". I could be worth $300 or $3000.00 hard to tell....