Parker Gun Collectors Association Forums - Old parker DH damscus- whats it worth

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Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeff Davis (Post 126125)

I'll post some pictures when I get a chance, but I have a terrible time getting good detailed gun pictures for some reason.

not a pro there, but check your camera for a micro focus setting (on both of mine the icon for the setting is a flower) and use good natural light if you can. a flash tends to wash out the details

A No. 1 frame DH is very special. And... there have been recent successful attempts at welding up small Damascus barrel cracks, as long as they are toward the muzzle where pressures are lowest. Don't scrap those barrels yet...

Restoration projects are not all bad in my opinion. A while ago I posted some photos of an old DH I bought that was in very rough condition. True - I am guilty of sometimes bringing home three-legged dogs. A restoration project like this is definitely not something one should do with hopes of making money. But I just couldn't let the old gun wither away and die.

My intent was to have Brad Bachelder work his magic on the gun and the results are shown below. Some types of flaws are just too hard or expensive to fix. Pitting along the rib and some shallow pitting on the bottom of the receiver can't be undone without great effort and expense. As long as the tubes are sound then the potential for restoration is there. All in all I think the end result speaks for itself.

Beautiful gun John, you did good in bringing it back.

OK - so here are some pictures. Gun has 30" barrels and weighs 7.2 pounds. It needs a total restock. The junk that was put on there is not salvageable. It does have the skeleton butt plate on it though. At least I have the original for a pattern. It too is not salvageable. Its been cut for a recoil pad, a huge chuck is gone from it , someone did a terrible job grafting a new piece on the front, and a ginat crack is running through it.

Starting with the worst- this is the barrel damage. It starts 11 5/8 inches from the end of the muzzle and runs for 1/4 inch back towards the receiver. It looks like someone took a ball peen hammer to it.
http://i963.photobucket.com/albums/a...ps5d158ac9.jpg

Another shot of the underside of the barrelshttp://i963.photobucket.com/albums/a...psc9b5d83d.jpg

Top
http://i963.photobucket.com/albums/a...pse8d5de1c.jpg

Screw is missing and the others aren't correct
http://i963.photobucket.com/albums/a...psbd7f531c.jpg

http://i963.photobucket.com/albums/a...ps774b2668.jpg

http://i963.photobucket.com/albums/a...ps87427b12.jpg

Jeff, it's hard to tell about the barrels on your DH but the receiver is in MUCH better condition than the one I had Brad restore.

I'd send the DH to Bachelder and see what he says.
Especially about the barrels. A lot of stocks that some collectors think are junk can be salvaged if you are will to make some compromise. Like a Silver's pad for the butt instead of the skeleton on a restock?

Quote:

Originally Posted by John Havard (Post 126137)

Jeff, it's hard to tell about the barrels on your DH but the receiver is in MUCH better condition than the one I had Brad restore.

It did turn out beautiful. Did all the engraving have to get recut?

As I recall Brad recut none of the engraving on the receiver. The trigger guard was toast and had to be completely replaced and engraved anew. The DHBP was salvaged and engraving recut.