A rare Georgia gun store Parker Trojan

[will evans]

And I don't mean rare in the sense of the gun, only that I RARELY see Parkers down here. BTW, this is my first post. I just joined the forum this week and paid to become a PGCA member in order to learn as much about Parkers as possible and to gain access to the buy/sell forum. I did so because I have started seriously looking for my first Parker. I prefer 16 and 20 gauges, but who doesn't? So anyway, I was in one of my local gun stores picking up a check for an FN boxlock 16ga I had sold on consignment when I noticed a Trojan 16ga standing proud on the front row. I took some pics, albeit probably not enough, and am hoping I can get a few opinions on this particular gun. I have tried to block out the name of the store in the pictures to protect the innocent.

So, the details - I stupidly did not take a picture of the water table and can't remember if it was a 1 or a 0 frame. Hopefully someone will be able to identify it. The gun is very light, with 26" barrels and the hang tag says IC/M chokes. Bores looked to be perfect but I didn't have a light. For a gun I believe to be roughly 1918 or so origin, I immediately noticed that the barrels were quite dark. The stampings are all very sharp, but I feel certain the barrels have been redone. The barrels are definitely factory 26". Nothing else on the gun looks to be modified, though I wonder about the chokes. I removed the forearm, turned the gun upside down, and then wiggled it with the lever pushed. I felt a tiny amount of wiggle, but not what I deem excessive. The forearm holds tight to the gun. No cracks or visible repairs in the stock, but the wood looks well hunted. The asking price is $1350, and I am asking if that is on the high side, low side, or about what I should expect in a gun of this condition. How much better can I do for the same amount of money, if any? My first instinct was that the gun ought to be priced at about $900 with no bump in value attributable to the barrels being refinished, but that's NEVER how gun dealers and/or gun owners view partially refurbished items when they are on the SELLING end of the deal.

I hope this type of post is in line with the rules of the forum.


https://jawjadawg.files.wordpress.com/2013/01/parker3.jpg?w=253

https://jawjadawg.files.wordpress.com/2013/01/parker1.jpg?w=798

https://jawjadawg.files.wordpress.com/2013/01/parker2.jpg?w=798

https://jawjadawg.files.wordpress.com/2013/01/parker7.jpg?w=798

https://jawjadawg.files.wordpress.com/2013/01/parker6.jpg?w=798

https://jawjadawg.files.wordpress.com/2013/01/parker5.jpg?w=253

https://jawjadawg.files.wordpress.com/2013/01/parker9.jpg?w=253

[will evans]

fixed.

[Christopher Piercey]

Looks like mine. Can you get us the serial number?

[will evans]

Well that would be embarrassing to me if it were yours - 182131

[Richard Flanders]

Looks to be in pretty decent shape. Looks like the barrels may have been reblued. I think I'd want to get it for less than $1350 but I'm not up on 16ga Trojan values.

[Mark Ouellette]

http://parkerguns.org/forums/showthread.php?t=9097

This post in the For Sale forum lists a VERY desirable 0 Frame 16 Gauge PH in good condition for $2250. Perhaps the Trojan, with a little play in the action, is worth half of that?

If it were me, I'd go for Jeff's PH 16.

Mark

[Brian Dudley]

If the gun seems lighter than you think it should be, it may be a 0 frame. If it is and 0 frame 16g. then it may well be worth the asking price. Especially if all other features are correct. The overall condition is good. Does not appear to be a ton of finish left on the receiver. Good screws from what I can see.

[greg conomos]

From the photos, it looks fairly well used to me. I think $1350 would be not a bad price but I'd keep my $1350 and use it towards a nicer gun.

[Bill Murphy]

Sixteen gauge Trojans were made on #1 frames. This is an average, field used gun with nice screws. Assuming everything else is OK, especially the bores, someone will like this gun for the asking price or a little less.

[charlie cleveland]

think your on the dot bill... charlie

[will evans]

Thank you for the replies. I can see I have been fortunate enough to attract a respected crowd to this thread. A little searching this morning uncovered a specimen that I wish I had seen earlier, as the condition and price make me think I missed out on a nice value, assuming the dimensions of the gun check out, barrels uncut, etc. If I see another like the one linked below then I will try to jump on it. Am I correct in my assessment of the below completed sale?

Parker Trojan 16ga - too late (http://www.gunsamerica.com/916563672/16_GA_PARKER_TROJAN_NICE_GUN.htm)

[Christopher Piercey]

Well that would be embarrassing to me if it were yours - 182131

Mine's downstairs :bigbye: I'd snap it up.

[Russ Jackson]

I would be very cautious of an early Trojan with 26" Barrels and open chokes " Don't you Fellas Agree ? " I would immediately suspect Lopped Barrels and if that is the case in my opinion $ 1350.00 is over priced for sure ! Will , if you give us the whole serial # ,one of us can look in the book and possibly see how it left the factory ,if you are not comfortable with giving out the serial on the Forum ,send me a Private Message and I or any of the regulars on the Forum will be glad to look it up for you and send you a PM Back ! Russ

[will evans]

Thanks, Russ. Serial number is 182131

[Russ Jackson]

Will ,I apologize ,I missed that you posted it in an earlier post and there is nothing listed in the book for this serial # ! Have you looked at the end of the Barrels to see if the matting goes clear to the or if there is a blank space just in front of the bead ! Just to say there is not always a blank space but 90+ Percent of the time there is . I will post a picture here of what it should look like in most cases ! The First picture is of a Remington Era Gun,the Second is a Danascused Barreled Gun ,Circa ,1902 and the third is a Titanic Steel Barreled Gun ,Circa 1904 ! Hope this helps !The gun you are looking at is around 1918 ! Best ; Russ

[Eldon Goddard]

Did they put the blank space to show if some one cut the barrels? Or did they do it for another reason? Apologize in advance for going off topic.

[will evans]

Russ, the barrels look to kiss nicely. I wasn't too concerned about the barrels being cut, but I guess I should be. I didn't check for a blank spot, but I did examine the end of the barrels and they looked good except for the fact they had been refinished.

I am unlikely to buy the gun or even make an offer on it at this point, as I am certain there will be guns for which I will be more excited about the value.