My boat anchor above is a 12 ga VHE that came out of the estate of my best friend's uncle. It was his wife's gun and the original stock has been significantly cut down so I shipped it out to Brad Bachelder for re-stocking with a blank I bought from Cecil Fredi. Brad did the case colors as well and rust blued the barrels. I don't shoot it that often now as I prefer my 20 ga sxs's but when I do take it out, I get many comments on the wood. I will be eternally thankful that Brad did the restoration on this nice VHE. It's a testament to the quality of work that Brad was known for. RIP Brad and thank you.

I echo your comments about Brad. I remember once asking him if Parkers were really better than X,Y, or Z American makers' guns. I received one of the most expert and cogent responses I've every heard or read. He sold me.

Brad was always the perfect gentleman. Never too busy to answer my questions..He was the best.

I would love to hear what he said. Could you paraphrase?

What is the general opinion regarding 12 gauge hammerguns? Are they also considered "Boat Anchors"?

I have a 12 gauge Grade 4 hammer gun on the 1-frame with 30” Bernard barrels that is a far cry from a boat anchor. :rolleyes:





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Agreed Dean...but that grade, hammer or hammerless, would be sought after in any gauge. I was referring to the more common grade O's and 1's. So, let's assume equal condition and specs...which gun would be more likely to attract a buyer.

You have to factor in grade and condition into this discussion.A true mint gun of any gauge will bring top dollar now.The mid level condition guns that people used to buy to hunt with are very hard to sell now.I would bet that most of us in this association started our gun collecting by buying a used Parker to hunt with.Todays hunters are buying synthetic stocked guns to use.The only way they are introduced to good doubles is by running into one of us at a shoot or show.The middle level guns that held up the price structure are declining and therefor we get the "boat anchor"story from dealers who want to turn inventory.

What kind of buyer?





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Hi, Todd,

I certainly don't have the technical knowledge or command of nomenclature that Brad had, so any detailed recounting from me would be inadequate, but he spoke about the fit and finish of Parker guns, especially referencing their internal parts. I certainly came away from that conversation with an enhanced sense of the quality of the firm's offerings. I've always been fascinated by the barrel striking process, and what initiated the conversation with Brad that I referenced was our examination of a GH that I had recently acquired that weighed in at 7 lbs. The gun is totally original, and the letter confirms the weight. The barrel striker took off quite a bit of weight from the barrels, but still they were finely balanced and had plenty of wall thickness where it was needed. To think that guns that finely crafted were "production" guns still astounds me. Brad really helped me understand just how well Parker shotguns were made. I'm very grateful for all the time he took with me.