Another Trojan Question from the New Guy

[Matt Valinsky]

Well, what can I say. I've been looking at a Trojan 16Ga., serial # 177368 and pretty much talked myself into needing to have it. The shop owner threw a wrench into the works when he brought out another Trojan and offered a deal on both. The second Trojan is serial # 215477. The tag reads 12Ga., 30 inch barrels full and full. This gun is in some what better condition than the 16Ga.

So, the question, might the description on the tag true to the gun?

Are Parkers kinda like firewood, a guy can never have one stick to much? All I wanted was a Parker to hunt with.

Thanks for your help Folks. Matt

[Dean Romig]

Depending on the kind of hunting you do, the sixteen might be just the gun you need. I know for me it would be... but if you regularly shoot waterfowl and pheasants the twelve might be more to your liking. Some of us older guys like a bit lighter gun for traipsing all over God's Green Acres in search of closer and smaller upland birds and the sixteen would certainly fill that bill.

[Angel Cruz]

I say you should get both.

[Matt Valinsky]

Hunting we do, some of both Grouse and Pheasants. Over the years I've used the 16Ga. for both. Once upon a time quail were thrown into the mix, not so much anymore. I think only a couple counties are open for them this year

If the Trojan 12Ga. would check out to be what the tag indicates and the "package" price is doable, I might go ahead a do it.

Of course, I might be sleeping in the barn tomorrow night. Wouldn't be the first time.

Thanks, Matt

[Rick Losey]

215477 is listed as a pistol grip 12 gauge Trojan with 30 inch barrels.

sounds like a match, one for each hand

[Matt Valinsky]

Thanks Rick, so it is full and full?

By the way, good looking Setter you had pictures of.

Thanks, MAtt

[Rick Losey]

thanks Matt, the last dark one is mine, the other's are hunting parters of some of the other Old Hemlock Family.

as for chokes - they don't show in the book - but I think that's normal for a 30 inch Trojan

[Chuck Bishop]

When you say "tag", what tag are you referring to? Is it a tag the gun shop put on the gun or is it a Parker Hang tag?

[Matt Valinsky]

Pa SXS, Just the tag the shop has on the gun.

Rick, Old hemlock - Good stuff!

[Paul Plager]

Matt, there is no such thing as to many Parkers. They are a disease and it is incureable. Sit back and enjoy the ride.
Also when buying another Parker, a piece of jewlry for her helps make the medicine go down.:rolleyes:
I've proven this. There is a gun shop here in San Antonio that has a Montana Silversmith display in it. My wife will always go in with me.:whistle:

[Pete Lester]

Trojans are great guns, built with utmost care. They will shoot great patterns because the bores and chokes are Parker. If you are like me and some others your first Parker will be a Trojan and as such it will never be for sale. You'll enjoy that Trojan whichever you buy, it will be special. It will also build in you a desire for a higher grade Parker. Take your time, seek competent advice and make sure your choice is not only sound but mostly or all original. Although different in appearance with differing features from all other grades there were fewer Trojans built than VH's. They were sold as knockabouts and used hard. Good sound original Trojan's may not be considered a collectors piece by many but they are becoming harder to find especially in 16 and 20 gauge. Take your time, share pictures, ask questions. Buy wisely because it may not seem like it now, but there will always be another Trojan given time (careful not to buy a pig in a poke).

PS. Trojans are a powerful gateway narcotic, there will be no going back if you buy one :)

[Richard Flanders]

Tell us more information about both guns. If he really wants to get you to buy both, deal hard on getting the price down - get brutal!. What price range is he quoting you for the 16 and for both??

[Dennis V. Nix]

Matt it sounds like you are in a great predicament and envy you. I say buy both of them. If the 12 gauge Trojan is choked full and full you can always use the RST spreader loads for upland game if you need more open patterns. Best bet is to shoot it at a pattern board though to see what it really shoots. I never had a 16 gauge until 2 years ago and now have 5. It is a great gauge and can handle most everything you reasonably choose to shoot with it. The only caution I would suggest is to make sure both guns fit you. I once purchased 12 and 20 L. C. Smith guns which were like new. I cherished those guns for a while until I shot them and found they had too much drop at the comb. Beautiful guns but when I threw them to my shoulder I was always looking at the back of the opening lever. Many of the older guns have stocks that are not the best dimensions for present day shooters. It can be corrected but do you want to do that? Good luck with whatever you decide. If you buy even one you will definitely have a case of the dreaded but loved Parker Fever.

[Matt Valinsky]

Back in 1967 while home on leave ( I had just won an all expense paid 13 month excursion to the fun and sun capital of south east asia) my uncle stopped over to my Dad's house. He had a 12 ga. double barrel Parker brothers shot gun and two boxes of Peters shot shells. He knew I had been hunting with an old H&R single 12 ga. He thought perhaps I might like to us his shotgun. Well to get to the point it was about as fancy a gun as I'd had ever seen, engraved to the max and a chunk of walnut that was just short of being wild. I think that started this. I thought to myself, one day I'll have one of those. the only problem I had with that gun for two weeks was being afraid I'd drop it. it did manage to kill several partridges for me.

It's taken a couple years but I believe I'm getting close.

the 16 ga. built in 1917. It's a gun that has been hunted. The typical dings and scratches on the stock. Really no color to speak of on the frame. The barrels are full and modified, 28" long. the bores are bright with no pitting. One barrel does have a very small dent. I spoke to a gunsmith, he said $45.00 and an easy repair. The barrels and frame mount up nice and tight. There is one small area on one of the barrels that the bluing has been worn. The tag said $1,350 but he will take $1,200. Serial numbers on the barrels and frame match.

12 ga. 30" barrels, full and full. little more color on the frame, wood is much nicer. Bores are bright and the barrels and the frame are nice and tight. I believe this gun was built in 1926. It does have what I think is a Silvers recoil pad. the bluing on the barrels is very nice. The price tag shows $1,250. serial numbers on the barrels and frame match.

In about and hour, I'll be headed over to see what his package price is gonna be.

I would be very happy to own a Trojan grade Parker Brothers shotgun. kinda matches me.

[Pete Lester]

FWIW I stopped by the Kittery Trading Post on the way home from an appointment I had nearby. They had a 12ga Trojan, 1913 gun (dolls head), 30" barrels (chokes were probably relieved as store tag said IC/Lt Mod. Wood was solid, good shape, checkering worn but good, action tight, barrels were probably reblued some time ago, 90%, very little cc. It had a brown solid pad on it. I did not look it over in greater detail, price was $865 if it helps.

[Matt Valinsky]

It's a done deal, they both came home with me. The fun begins.

First thing first, tonight I'll sit here and enjoy them. Tomorrow, I'll search this site for a "How to" to take them apart for a good cleaning along with how to best take care of the wood cleaning wise.

The recoil pad on the 12ga. is a D.A.S. from Detroit not a Silver like I first thought.

Folks, thanks for your input and help, much appreciated.

One more question, whats a "Dolls Head"?

Matt

[Rick Losey]

One more question, whats a "Dolls Head"?

Matt

welcome to the asylum Matt

a Dolls head is the little rounded extention on the back end of the top rib

[Angel Cruz]

Good man Matt. The doll's head is the part of the top rib the extends pass the breach end and mates with the cut out on top of the frame. Some Trojans have them some don't.

[Dean Romig]

The Trojan has what is called simply a "rib extension" while all grades above the Trojan, starting with the Grade-0 (or VH), have the true "doll's head".

[Matt Valinsky]

Thanks guys. The 16 has the rib extension, the 12 doesn't

By the way, the gun shop has another Parker there. 12ga. hammer gun with "Twist" barrels.

The serial # in the barrels is 17845 and the number on the frame is 29829 so I'm guessing a mismatched gun?

Just putting this out there in case anyone has an interest.

Again, thanks so much for the help.

Matt

[todd allen]

Back in my hey-day of gun buying, I bought a little 20 ga. Trojan at a trap shoot in Las Vegas. I didn't need it, as I had plenty of good SxS guns to hunt with, but I just marveled at the simplicity of the little gun. All original, 28" BBLs, and untouched and honest.
Twenty plus years later, it dawns on me that this little gun has sat in the corner of the safe, mostly untouched, and never even fired, by me.
I grab the gun, the dogs, and a hand full of shells, and off we go after some desert quail.
A couple hours later, the bag is five birds heavier, a few shells lighter, home we go.
The little Trojan was a pure joy to shoot. Light, fast, an absolute wand!
It will be my go-to 20 gauge.

[Brian Dudley]

If he offered a good deal on both, them buy both. If you only want one, than join the association and post the one you don't want here. Like my selling skills so far?

[Paul Plager]

Brian, Yup Yup.:)

[Matt Valinsky]

Just an update. I spent most of last night looking at and studying both Trojans and came to the conclusion I'm very satisfied with my purchase. Neither gun increased or decreased in what I thought they were while looking at them at the gun shop ( I think the shop owner was ready to charge me rent because of the amount of time I spent in his shop looking at the guns). Both have been carried and hunted and have the marks that I would expect in comparing them with my current shotguns. I think they're good honest guns, well, at least in my mind.

The package deal the owner offered came to $1,950. I mention this only for input as to whether you folks feel that was reasonable. Kind of a loaded question because of your not seeing the Trojans. Just curious if it was in the ball park. As for me, no buyer's remorse. I guess that's what really matters but if you don't ask, you never learn.

Can't wait for this weekend when I'm here during the day light to give them a try.

Again, thanks much.

Matt

[Paul Plager]

I think you have done well. The important is that you think you have hone well. By the last post of yours you do. Enjoy them. They are great guns.
Now you need to join the PGCA as a member. The fellowship that exists here is beyond words.

[Brian Dudley]

Is they are both in sound shape with some original finish remaining, then you did not do bad at all. You need to see pics to tell you how well, but considering that one does not often find a 16g Trojan for under $1k, ... Yeah...

[Matt Valinsky]

tried to join the PGCA, paypal wouldn't co-operate.

[Dean Romig]

Send a PM tp Mary Bowes. She'll get you fixed up quickly.