What do I have here?

[J.Fife]

Hello all,
I had just inherited this 12ga, and being that it is my first Parker I was wondering if anyone could give me a ball park value for it. I had taken it to a local gun store and they really couldn't give me a value on it but had offed me $600 in store credit for it. Now, I am not planing on selling it because it has been in the family for a bit, but I would like to know what something like this is worth and what it would sell for.

Along the top of the two barrels it reads "Parker Bros Makers. Meriden Conn. Damascus Steel". On the water table there are three dates; Apr 11 1876, Sep 3 1872, and Mar 16 1875. Also on the water table there is a number 1, and just under that is a 5 digit number, and below that is the letter G. The barrel has three letters stamped where it closes up against the water table (near the extractor) and they are A, C, D, and also a number 14

The gun has two hammers, and there is engraved pheasants on the side. The butt plate has a dog on it. There is very little and light surface rust in a few areas but the gun is in overall great condition.

From my research it was made in 1887 and is a grade 2 model G. Now with all this info I can't seem to put a monetary value on it, and was hoping some of you enthusiasts could assist.

Thank you in advance.

[J.Fife]

Also, the barrel measures 30 inches and there are no dents or pits in or on the barrel. They almost have a mirror like reflection when looking through them at light.

There isn't any play where the barrels lock on to the gun. Overall very sold.

[Bill Zachow]

You have an extremely nice G grade, top action Parker. When the gun is properly cleaned, wood and metal, it will be even better. If the bores are bright and pitt free, I would value the gun at least $1,000.

[Daryl Corona]

J.Fife,
It seems you have a very nice, unmolested grade 2 (G) with lots of condition. Are the bores as clean as the exterior of the gun? What are the length of the barrels? I hesitate giving a price without having the gun in hand.

[Mark Landskov]

Wow! Nice gun. Definitely worth more than $600.00.

[David Holes]

Whats not to like about that one? Looks like 1200.00 plus to me. Whats the name on emblem?

[Brian Dudley]

Yes, very nice gun. Do not ever count on any local gun shop to give you an accurate figure when asking about value. I find it funny how they would not comment on value, but only give credit.

[Rick Losey]

"Now, I am not planing on selling it because it has been in the family for a bit, but I would like to know what something like this is worth and what it would sell for."

although I like buying old guns - I really hope you stick to the first part of that sttement and this piece of family history sees future generations past you. what a great gun to be the caretaker of.

the serial number is not in the "book" but 30 inches is a common length, how are the bores - any pitting, and if so how much.

I would be careful cleaning it - since it has a good look as is.

insure it for a little more than the highest estimate you get here,

[J.Fife]

Whats the name on emblem?

I'm 100% on the name because of the font type is difficult to make out. It's two initials then a four letter name followed by a period. Does it make a difference when appraising it? If so I can get the magnifying glass out.

[Dean Romig]

It's two initials then a four letter name followed by a period. Does it make a difference when appraising it?.


The name of the persom it was made for or who owned and shot it, especially if he was a shooter of note, could alter the otherwise 'run of the mill' value considerably. There have been Parkers, Foxes, etc. that have auctioned for at least double what the gun would have sold at without the provenance of a famous shooter or personality.

[George M. Purtill]

I agree with Dean but go a little farther. The name on the shield [I have to admit that's the first one have seen like that] could help you build a provenance for the gun. A good provenance could make it more valuable to the outside world and it could make it priceless to you.
I find it very hard to sell a gun that I know the history of.
But if you read what I write about you know my weakness already.
By the way- thats a great gun.

[edgarspencer]

I guess it's just me, and since I have a twin to it, but I wouldn't part with mine for 1200 or anywhere near it. I love the hell out of shooting it. Those barrels are great.

[Paul Plager]

I agree with Edgar. Or is it Tedgar, I forget. That gun is to nice to let go for a $600.00 store credit. The salesman knows what you have, and what it's worth.
Also the family history is priceless. Please clean it and shoot it. I would.

[J.Fife]

I try to find out the name and any info on the person.
So the consensus is one in this condition would generally sell for around $1000-$1200?

Also, what "off the shelf" shells can I shoot through it safely?

Thanks everyone.

[edgarspencer]

What your gun is worth is what you would take for it, but all you need to do is go on one of the G sites (Guns America, Guns International, and Gun Broker) and see what 'like guns are being offered. I think you'll find that the asking prices for a Grade 2 hammer gun on a 1 frame are listed for more than your 'ball park valuation'.
As for what to shoot, RST Maxi-Lites are ideal for it.
I'd recommend that you give yourself a Christmas present of an annual membership in the PGCA, and get a letter on the gun. Just because the serial number doesn't show up in the serialization book doesn't mean that there isn't info on the gun.
Any additional fishing for a valuation will begin to smell like a solicitation ,and possibly get the thread deleted.

[J.Fife]

Thank you to all who have offed some insight. Like I mentioned in the first post, I am not interested in selling the gun. I just wanted an opinion on value for insurance reasons, along with the fact that I just want to know what I had acquired (being this is my first Parker).

Although I am not interested in putting many rounds through it, I will look for some RST Maxi-Lites. I am a little curious how this shoots. Thanks for the recommendation.

Again, thanks for the help.

[edgarspencer]

You can buy directly from RST.

http://www.rstshells.com/

[Richard Flanders]

I'd have to be pretty hungry to sell that for $1200, especially if it was a family gun with some history. It looks like a very nice and very shootable gun that any of us would love to own.

[Brian Stucker]

I agree with all the above, particularly Messrs. Flanders and Dudley. The owner, by offering store credit for the gun, is probably clipping you for at least 40%, thus paying a measley $360 for the gun. As judge Judy would say 'OUTRAGEOUS'.

AND, there is no way I'd sell a family heirloom (that cheap) nice as that gun is.

Shoot the hell out of it, use RST's, and don't worry about diminishing its value by using it. That's what I do with my (only) Parker anyway. If you start shooting it....bet you'll want another. I sure do.

[J.Fife]

Rather than starting a new thread I figured I would add a few more questions to this one.

As many have stated, I am really becoming interested in this new Parker I have and Parker's in general. Spending lot's of time reading up on them and looking at others...may have been bitten by a bug. I think I may take edgarspencer's advice and get myself an Xmas gift of a membership.

Couple questions I have;
Any good cleaning tips? What would be the best method to remove the surface rust in the pics....as well as blemishes on the Damascus barrel?

Also, what exactly does it mean if "the numbers are not in the book"? I plan on gathering info on the history of this Parker.

Lastly, I mostly only hunt whitetail. I would like to take this in the field to give it a try, and was curious what most would hunt with a gun like this. Where I live, game birds can be though to find. (sorry for the "new guy" questions, but I have never shot double barrel antiques)

[J.Fife]

The owner, by offering store credit for the gun, is probably clipping you for at least 40%, thus paying a measley $360 for the gun. As judge Judy would say 'OUTRAGEOUS'.

Agreed. I wasn't looking to sell the gun to him, but rather get an estimate of it's value. Which he couldn't do.

[Ed Blake]

Your hammer gun would be fun at the sporting clays course, or any type of clay shooting for that matter. It likely has too much drop for trap, but that can be solved with a riser on the comb. I use one to shoot doves and small game. Very nice Grade 2.

[edgarspencer]

In the strictest sense of the word, at least as it pertains to firearms, your gun is an antique. However, using a quality low pressure load from RST, you will find shooting it no different than shooting any modern day double.
The 'Book' refers the the Serialization book. This 'book' has a lot of missing guns, as the original Parker paperwork was less than organized when it was assembled, and published. There may be other data available though, and a note to the researcher will get you an answer as to whether a letter can be written on the gun.
Cleaning old guns is a highly debated topic, and there are as many suggestions as there are respondents. I use WD40 and 4 ought steel or bronze wool, though finding 0000 in bronze is tough on a good day. Go very lightly and let the WD40 set for a while. It will get underneath, and lift any loose rust. If there are remnants of case colors on the lock plates, go extremely lightly, if at all. Your wood looks so nice I'd be inclined not to do much at all. The barrels can be sent off to one of the better known smiths who specialize in Damascus browning. They come alive when properly restored.
Don't hone the bores. a good scrubbing will make them alot nicer without removing wall thickness.
DON'T use your gun for any slugs or heavy buckshot loads, as pressure goes up and you stand the good chance of ruining the gun.
After getting the trigger pull sorted on on my grade 2 a6ga. hammer this year, that gun has become my all time favorite sporting clays gun. Hammer guns just seem to balance so well.

[Russ Jackson]

J Fife ,I got in on this thread a bit late ,if you are still following this thread go to the PGCA Home Page and look down the column on the left side you will see PGCA Letters ,Click this and then click where in Red it says " Click " then put your Serial # in the box available and you will see there is information available for Serial # 94841 ! If you then become a PGCA Member one of the Percs is, you are able to purchase a letter for $40.00 instead of the $100.00 for a letter purchasing non member ! Also we have a For Sale Section available to Members Only and The comraderie in the PGCA is far and Above the cost of Membership ! Welcome Aboard ! Russ

[Richard Flanders]

Mr Fife: once you put a box of shells through this beauty.... you will be hooked for life. They shoot very well and are more fun than a guy should be allowed to have. Everyone on this forum will back me up on this one.... so be prepared... and buy lots of shells.

[David Hamilton]

I for one would use Balistol ot remove rust. It is very effective usinf only rags to wipe. The effect is slow but in a year all rust will be gone. David

[J.Fife]

Based on the pictures on the first page, can anyone identify what choke the barrels have? Thanks in advance.

[Richard Flanders]

No one can gauge the chokes from a picture. They need to measured for constriction. If you are anywhere near one of our members with the tools they would likely be happy to help you with this.

[J.Fife]

I have a feeling this is a dumb question, but I'll ask anyway. I left my turkey gun at camp and opening day is tomorrow. I have a few other shotguns to pick from here, but I thought of trying out this Parker on some turkey. Bad idea?

[Rick Losey]

I have a feeling this is a dumb question, but I'll ask anyway. I left my turkey gun at camp and opening day is tomorrow. I have a few other shotguns to pick from here, but I thought of trying out this Parker on some turkey. Bad idea?

not a dumb question- look in the hunting forumhere - lots of turkeys on both ends of the Parkers :rotf:


pattern it on a turkey target (you can find them to download on the web) to know the limit of its effective range

and stay away from those modern turkey magnum loads - call RST and have them send you something in a larger shot size that won't beat the gun or you.


then have fun -

[J.Fife]

Any shot size recommendation?

[charlie cleveland]

no 6 is the prefered shot by most..but i like a no 6 in the right barrel and a no 4 in the left...that is if your right handed if left handed just switch them around...i dont know what your chokes are but the no 6 should be in the more open barrel and the no 4 with the one which has the most choke...this could get confusing... anyway put the 6 in the right and the no 4 in the left... charlie