"I think it's safe to say that if a fellow collects and or shoots Parker's ammunition costs aren't generally a factor But then I reload for all of mine so what would I know ! "

For the average guy who doesn't shoot enough to justify the many headaches of reloading, the value behind walking into any store that sells ammo and knowing there will be 12 ga shells is significant. That they will be the lowest priced of any ammo is also appealing. Plus, who carries 10 ga shells in #8 birdshot?

To value a 10 over a 12 you'd better be doing some serious waterfowling or perhaps turkey hunting. Just keep in mind the guy you try to sell it to in 15 years might not think the same.

I'm not going broke over ammo costs but, for example, when I take out my 8ga and I'm shooting custom loads by Tom Armbruster I'm a little stingy on how many I let myself or my friends go through...if for no reason other than the time and effort it takes to order them.

I'm not down on the 10ga but it takes a really special 10 to outsell a 12.

I have to agree as much as I like my two 10s, they are not often admired by average shooters. Market selling is probably limited to knowlagable enthusiast. Who are going to be looking for condition.

William

I think the 10's are a hoot to shoot, and given two Parker's in identical condition, I would pay a premium for the 10 gauge. I may not use them as often as a 12,16 or 20 gauge but reloading for the 10 gauge is not all that difficult, and it's a great winter diversion from shoveling snow off the roof. Heck, if you roll crimp, and use the same gun, you don't even need a reloading press. I would agree that the short ten's sell to a limited number of shooters/collectors, but to those that enjoy them, value should go hand in hand with the numbers produced, and perhaps more importantly, the numbers that have survived in shootable condition.

10's a big fun but not for everyone. They have become much more popular thanks to Sherman Bell/DGJ and RST 10ga 2 7/8" ammo.
Gun for gun and condition for condition I would say they do sell for a little less than 12's.
That being said if two Parkers were sitting on a dealers table priced the same and equal in condition and rarity, I would take the 10 every time. But my interests in collecting are skewed towards BIG GUNS form the golden age of waterfowl hunting.
As others have pointed out finding a high condition 10 is extremely difficult given that waterfowl seasons and limits were non existent during the hay day of the 10 gauge-----these guns were used spring and fall when waterfowl blacked the sky. That is the appeal to me of owning the used but not abused examples. They may not have high condition but tons of character and history. Good luck with the D 10.

Who are going to be looking for condition AND FIT. If I see a high condition 10ga at a good price by any maker and it has 2" DAC by 3 1/2" DAH at the heel I am going to pass. Not only are the hammerless 10's far fewer in number they were all made in the period of lots of drop. These days a good condition unmessed with 10 with good dimensions stands on it's own merits and will command a price close to or equal to a similiar 12. The era of NH and EH GRADE guns in such condition languishing on the dealers rack at a bargain basement price are gone.

Agree 100 %, reason I strayed from Parkers for a Hammerless short 10 is way the gun fit. Ithaca Super 10 I bought a few months ago has a much higher stock than my Hammer Parker 10 about 2 3/4 DAH. . It's probably 40 years newer which accounts for the more modern dim's

William

Gentlemen, I first of all want to apologize. For the first three responses, I received email notification, but not for subsequent replies. Therefore, I didn't check my post for a day or so. The gun is across country, so I've gathered info as best I can. It's a DH, s/n 57024, made in 1889 on a 2 frame. It has 30" damascus barrels that appear to be uncut(last 1/8" or so of rib smooth and proper keels). The biggest potential for a problem that I see, other than paying for it without my wife finding out, is that both barrels measure cylinder. That just doesn't sound right to me, but I guess it's possibly original. Once again, I appreciate any info any of you can share.

If that cylinder choke is being measured with a plug gauge, that is not an issue.
The bores of an 1889 vintage Parker Bros. 10-gauge are very likely to be much closer to .800" than .775". What are actual measurements with a bore micrometer?

#57024 does show as 30" barrels in the book

The choke was measured with a flat Galazan gauge. This is probably the only measurement that I'll be able to get. So if I understand correctly, the choke is relative to the actual bore. If the bore is "oversize", the muzzle could measure larger than a more conventional muzzle and still have the constricting properties?