First off you have chosen a very nice example of a Parker shotgun for your first one. IMHO I would leave it as is. I REALLY doubt you would recoup the cost of restoration if you needed to sell it.

I have gone through the M12 phase but would still like a nice M42 solid rib skeet gun and I collect Pre 64 M70's so I ask you if this was a Winchester within your collector realm would you refinish it?

In answer to Rich's anecdote about Winchesters, I could not send a field used Model 42 solid rib skeet to the refinishers. I just bought a field used solid rib Skeet Grade 42 for $2100, a great price. Refinished for about $1000, it would probably be worth about $2800 or $3000, not a bad deal. However, if the refinish didn't come out perfectly, it would be back to $2100. Conversely, in seven years, the original gun would probably be worth more than the refinished gun. I will defer to Rich's opinion of my figures. I could go either way on the gun in question. However, an unmolested VHE 20, even in field used condition, is a rare bird.

A thought to consider. Every year, there are thousands more Winchester pump guns being refinished, as well as hundreds more Parker 20s being refinished. If you do the math, every year, there are thousands fewer original Winchester pump guns available and hundreds fewer original Parker 20s available for the market. As I said earlier, I am on the edge on this particular gun. If it were mine, I would be using it as is. In fifty years of collecting Winchesters, I have had one Model 12 and two Model 42s worked on. The Model 12 was not successful and the two Model 42s were successfully "tweaked" by someone whose work probably can't be duplicated at any reasonable price. That is the extent of my Winchester refinishing history in fifty years and probably 100 guns.

Leave the gun alone and satisfy your need to show charity to Burt by sending him a nice fruitbasket.

Marcus;
You have a gem of a 20 there. My modest collection of Parkers centers around 20ga. guns and yours is one that I would be happy to own in that condition. I would'nt refinish if it were mine but the way I see it every time someone refinishes a gun like yours, in that condition, it just makes my original condition guns worth more. Thanks for sharing that gem.

You all make some very good and convincing points. I'll have the gun gone through mechanically and professionally cleaned and likely leave it as it is. I was on the fence about the restoration but not crazy about the monetary investment. The money I save on not doing the restoration I can put into another Parker or more Winchester.

In my opinion Marcus, money well spent. Good luck with your next Parker.

They are only original once. Enjoy it the way it is and pass it to the next caretaker when it's time.

Looking for a nice 16 ga M/F for pheasants, or really any nice 20 gauges....Would love a 28ga but can't afford one...yet.

Thanks again.

Marc

Do you have a price range in mind?