Should I keep or not:

[Bruce Bruner]

Hello, My first post on this wonderful forum. Long story short, I received this 1896 Parker GH, 1 1/2 frame, 12 gauge, 30" barrel today. I come to you with photos and I am requesting some advice. I really love this gun, but the very old crack in the upper wrist was not revealed to me before the purchase and I'm afraid the advice my father gave me many moons ago should apply here. He said. "Son, never buy a gun with a cracked stock". Well dang it, I purchased this classic to admire and shoot. I'm experienced with black powder loading and have collected antique brass shells for years. I have a stock pile of Goex FFg also. The bores are choked improved and improved modified and measure .040 and .048 wall thickness at the muzzle. I didn't steal this gun but gave a fair price of $725.00 plus shipping. Considering the added expense of a professional repair I'm leaning towards taking my departed fathers advice. I would not consider a refinish with the exception of a pro barrel re-blackening, the repair would need to be invisible. So in conclusion it boils down to how deep are my pockets and would I or my offspring ever recoup my investment. Please take a look at the photos and hit me with both barrels, Thank you, Bruce

[George M. Purtill]

The buttstock has a wonderful age and color to it. I would repair and use it well.

[Steve Huffman]

Contact the seller see how much he will if any knock off ,200.00 would be fair !Fix it and enjoy it

[Chris Travinski]

I would take your Dad's advice. There are alot of nice GH's out there for $1000 which is at least what your going to have in it. Also, be aware that just because there is 40k min. wall thickness at the muzzle doesn't mean it will be any where near that down the barrels. If you want one to shoot, keep looking, you'll have another one in your hands in a week or two.

[Brian Dudley]

A very nice piece of light feather crotch on that gh. Nicer than most gh grade guns. That crack can be repaired and a recut of the checkering would cover up most of it, but some of it would still be seen. I don't know if Gould get away with a truly invisable repair on this.

[Ed Blake]

If the seller misrepresented the gun I would not hesitate to send it back. There are plenty of good ones out there, plus look for a 2 frame gun. Meatier barrels.

[Bruce Bruner]

I thank you for your replies. It's not so much of a return on my investment question as taking into account some other more important variables. Safety is paramount when using firearms. I am by no means an authoritarian on Damascus barrels. I have a friend locally that has a very nice bore scope and I think it would be a good idea to pay him a visit tomorrow to take a real close look into those bores. In the photograph of the muzzle I can see a very thin edge of silver ribbon, a line just inside the bore. If it's a separation then the gun is relegated to wall hanger status. I've always had an immense love for firearms. I also believe in rescuing firearms that have suffered due to the effects of time and neglect. I have purchased guns just because they cried to me for a good cleaning. There are no wall hangers in our home. All of our firearms get taken out to shoot. At this point in time I am still unsure about the status of this Parker. After a thorough examination I will be able to make a final decision to keep her or send her back for a refund. I'm glad to be able to share my thoughts here and appreciate what more experienced members think and I do value your opinions.
I thank you, Bruce P. Bruner

[Mills Morrison]

If the barrels are safe and if the price is still fair considering the stock, I would keep it.

[John Campbell]

Bruce:
It sounds as though you like this gun for its own sake -- but are disappointed in the less than forthcoming seller. If some added cost and the satisfaction of bringing a grand old Parker back to shooting will reward you, then keep it.
For a literally invisible repair, I'd consult The Stock Doctor (google that term) or Mark Larson Gun Art. either one can make that crack go away completely... and have the stock stronger than new.
Another issue is the chipped comb nose. Stock Doctor can fix that too.
If you look close at the bores please remember that minor pitting will NOT make the gun unsafe to shoot with modest pressure loads.

Finally, I would NEVER do business with the seller of that gun again. He has no scruples.

Best, Kensal

[Russ Jackson]

Bruce , If the seller misrepresented the gun and has a return policy ,you may want to send it back ,I bought one once and it was clearly misrepresented ,I decided to keep it and every time I carried it ,the whole deal aggravated me till I got to the point I didn't want to use it any more ! I took it to the local gun show ,walked it till I got an offer and let it go ! I lost a little cash but every gun is a learning experience and nothings free ! All of these years of fooling with old guns ,the one thing I have learned ,If something doesn't feel right about the deal ,then it is not a good deal for me ! A bad deal doesn't seem to get better ,they just seem to go down hill ,the first day of ownership of a new Gun ,should never be a dissapointment ! Just my two cents , and maybe that is all it's worth ! Good Luck with your decision! Best ; Russ

[Mills Morrison]

All of the advice here is good. I think it boils down to, if you feel good about it and want to keep it, keep it. If you have a bad feeling about it, send it back.

[Bruce Bruner]

Every single surviving 1890's vintage Parker is a unique specimen. Many guns of this era have been lost, many have cut barrels or stocks, amateur pad installations etc etc. I feel a kind of magnetism towards a gun such as this. I feel for certain that this guns owner has passed and the family had no use for it and they simply turned it in for whatever value it could realize. I just don't get the feeling that this particular Parker Bros. double gun has been to a hundred gun shows and passed from one owner to another. It's an honest old gun that's had it's share of use but hasn't been unfairly disrespected other than the imperfect screw heads. The gun locks up tight and hopefully has many more years of service with proper feeding and care. I could just put it away and ponder it's repair down the road. I'm pretty sure they're not making any more like this one. I'm poor at making good decisions, even with help, Bruce

[Mills Morrison]

Don't second guess your gut instinct. If that is how you feel, keep it and make repairs along and along.

[Brian Dudley]

If you bought it not knowing it was cracked and especially if it was not advertised as so, send it back. If it cracked after firing it, then you own it.

[Jeff Christie]

I tried to send a PM last weekend but the second one would not go through. This GH looks tighter than the one I saw. Also you haven't mentioned any dents so that appears not to be an issue. The dents I saw were VERY visible. I don't remember any cracks but once I saw the depth of the dents I really lost interest fast especially after I couldn't get any help from the staff.

There is lots of good advice here. Mine would be to find another one.

[Richard Flanders]

It seems that just about every Parker I have ever bought from a distance has had issues that the seller conveniently neglected to mention. Pitting, corrosion through blueing, loose ribs, stock chips/scratches/dents-serious ones, dysfunctional innards, you name it. These from some of the biggest dealers in the country too, and of course I've generally paid a bit too much for the gun also. I can only conclude that I somehow project an image of being an easy mark and a patsy over the phone and even over email and they just stick it to me as best they can. I'd be PO'd enough at this gun to send it back immediately as a matter of principle. It wouldn't have made it more than 12" from the box before I'd be wrapping it back up for return. There's no excuse for that one. There are a lot of very nice G grades out there to be had for reasonable prices. BUT, if you're the kind that likes to take in crippled puppies to be healed, by all means keep it and fix it. It's not that much money as long as the bbls are sound and will be a nice gun when fixed up properly.

[Bill Murphy]

The Stock Doctor or Mark Larson will charge you a fortune to fix this gun. Their work is good but their charges are over the top. Their services are not for people wanting to have a $700 gun fixed. Send it back. It is a money pit. Who is this seller of guns with cracked stocks who doesn't come clean about it?

[Bruce Bruner]

Negotiations were started today to resolve my dissatisfaction with the Parker Bros. GH that has a cracked tang that was not disclosed when describing the gun on the telephone. I called the business and talked with an associate and we discussed possible remedies that would be suitable. Aside from just returning the shotgun I suggested that I should be credited $275.00 for the repair cost. He told me his boss would be in touch with a decision. Guess what, I didn't get a return call today. In terms of immediate headache relief I'm going to print up a FedEx label and drop the package off in the morning. I appreciate everyone's help in this matter. Thank you all for being here to share my misery. Bruce

[Steve McCarty]

I just paid $1000 for a pretty rough GH with little finish, but some on the barrels. Nice bore, wood about like yours full and full. I have shot it and the guns shoots great and it hits.

I see GH's for $1000 on up and seldom do I see one that is anything very nice for under a grand. So, yeah you'll be into the gun for a bit more than it is worth...maybe but you'll have a nice gun. I see them going for $3K all of the time and many do not look much better than yours.

I don't fret too much about money when I buy a Parker. Sure you might pay too much, but you'll have a Parker and that is worth a premium. I would check the barrel thickness. You want a gun that you can shoot with confidence.

Some people buy Parkers for show. I buy mine for blow, so shootability is my first consideration.

[Robert Rambler]

They always told me, "You can't pay too much for a Parker,you can only buy it too soon!" :):)

[Steve McCarty]

Negotiations were started today to resolve my dissatisfaction with the Parker Bros. GH that has a cracked tang that was not disclosed when describing the gun on the telephone. I called the business and talked with an associate and we discussed possible remedies that would be suitable. Aside from just returning the shotgun I suggested that I should be credited $275.00 for the repair cost. He told me his boss would be in touch with a decision. Guess what, I didn't get a return call today. In terms of immediate headache relief I'm going to print up a FedEx label and drop the package off in the morning. I appreciate everyone's help in this matter. Thank you all for being here to share my misery. Bruce

I guess your post and mine crossed. I think that your decision to send it back is okay and you can keep looking, which is fun after all.

Someone above said that you should go with your "gut" reaction and I concur. A sellor who misrepresents a gun is stealing isn't he? Borders on fraud doesn't it. Or maybe it is fraud. So, sure send it back. Dishonesty should not be rewarded with success.

[Bruce Bruner]

I was packaging up a Shiloh Sharps this morning for shipment. When I set it up for FedEx delivery the earliest the system would let me ship was Monday. So much for shipping the Parker back today, wasn't in the cards. Well, Monday would have been the last day of the three day return period, just counting working days. I had not yet received the call from "The Boss" to negotiate a resolution to my predicament, so I called them up again to let them know I had not yet been contacted and I inquired if the three day return policy would be waived. And yes the inspection period would be waived and when the dept. manager returned from a few days off I would be contacted to resolve the issue. The plan of action we had discussed on Friday to be credited a couple hundred dollars was still on the table. The 1896 Parker GH 11/2 frame 12 gauge is still in my possession and the outcome is as of yet unresolved. I know this whole thing sounds absolutely crazy but I am sure many of you have experienced similar situations. I am not emotionally involved now, so whatever the outcome I really don't care one way or the other. I still like the gun, if I end up with it for a reduced price...good, if it goes back for a refund...good. Bruce :cheers:

[Steve McCarty]

My gun is a #2 frame GH 12 F&F made in 1896. It looks kind of like your gun and has similar wood, which looks pretty darn good. I like my gun, and being a 2 frame it has thick walls. No old finish, original varnish I think. I like GHs.

[Bruce Bruner]

Still waiting for my phone call to negotiate terms. In the meantime I called Brad Bachelder to get a ballpark estimate to repair the 1/8" X 2" crack from the tang into the checkering. The crack starts out at a touch less than 1/8" and tapers until it's end and surprisingly it does not originate at the lower tang screw, but it's close. Brad was very accommodating. I learned the repair can be accomplished for a reasonable cost, depending on the severity under the surface. We discussed measuring the barrel wall thickness and removing the three small dents. If the gun is deemed safe to shoot I am tempted to have him bring the barrels finish back to the original black and white. The barrels exhibit an even powdery rust colored patina and with much use they would easily wear to silver. It looks like with an additional fairly modest outlay of cash the Parker Bros. could become structurally sound and be an attractive vintage double.
Bruce

[George M. Purtill]

You will not find a nicer gentleman to deal with than Brad. And you will appreciate his work.

[Mills Morrison]

Bruce, Now you need to join the PGCA along with us other Parker addicts :cheers:

[George M. Purtill]

Bruce, Now you need to join the PGCA along with us other Parker addicts :cheers:

And we have fun too. Come to an annual meeting and banquet.
Or our shoots where we face off against the Fox and Smith boys.

[Mills Morrison]

Also, you get a reduced rate on research letters. If you decide to keep the gun, you should get a research letter. I learned I have guns from Norfolk, Va, San Francisco, Kentucky and even Canada

[Bruce Bruner]

I patiently waited for "the phone call", it came on Saturday. I was asked if I was okay with having the cracked tang repaired and then forwarding them the receipt and getting reimbursed, up to $200.00! Their offer was accepted. I am very pleased with this outcome, so now the old "GH" is headed straight to Mr. Bachelder, the master in Michigan. Excellent!
I also received two brass Parker head stamped 12 gauge shells over the weekend in lieu of shipping charges for a recent sale.
I am so relieved, everything has been worked out. Bruce

[Rick Losey]

Good news - great that you are happy with the outcome.

pictures when it returns from Michigan are of course required.

[Paul Plager]

Bruce, congrats on the GH. I'm glad everything worked out. You need to join the club as you are already hooked on Parkers. I just aquired #6 of my collection.
The Parker sickness is terminal. There is no known cure, even the purchase of another gun is just feeding the beast:eek: welcome to the wonderful world of Parker.:bigbye:

[George M. Purtill]

YES The Parker affliction is terminal for most. The only hope is to infect someone else- a son, daughter, son-in-law, etc- so you have someone to pass all these treasures to.
And pass them early so you're not giving an auctioneer or the goverment a cut.

[Mills Morrison]

If you have an issue with a bought gun, it is best to treat it like the seller made an honest mistake, even if they didn't. I have returned one gun that I bought that was not as advertised and it was a pain, but I was nice about it and the seller was cooperative, even though it was supposedly and "as is" sale. If they don't cooperate, then you go to negative feedback, the Better Business Bureau, etc.

[Bruce Bruner]

Mr. Bachelder will take possession of the Parker on Thursday... all is well. I will post photos of the completion when the time comes. Now I will patiently wait my turn, hopefully I can get it back before the Mayan calender ends or not. Thank you all for your assistance, I seriously didn't want to sound like a "Drama Queen". Happy Holidays, Bruce

[Leighton Stallones]

Personally, I would repair it after seeing if the seller would give a concession. I repaired one a lot worst than this one many years ago and it has not failed again. The rear of the tang likely needs to be relieved which likely caused the problem with some moron shooting a big magum type load.