Don’t know your name but I like the engraving on your G.

My name is Dan and I haven't forked over the cash yet. Waiting for some advice on whether its worth it or not.

You are missing a digit in that serial number.

Based on the little that i see, the stock is pretty messed up on that gun. And the issue surpasses a simple “chip” as you describe. It appears to me that the gun has suffered previous damage that was repaired and then has partialy failed a second time. It has been heavily varnished and also incorrectly recheckered.

As to the price... you can usually get a sound GH without these stock issues for the same price or not much more. However, your gun is a Fluid steel gun, vs. Damascus. Which would drive the value up some. It looks like a pretty early gun for fluid steel, but without the complete serial number, it is hard to confirm. It also could have been rebarreled by the factory if it is an earlier number than typical for Fluis steel GH grades.

You think I could pick up a sound GH for under $1000 ?

A damascus gun for sure. A damascus GH 12g is one of the most commonly found Parkers out there.

A word of advice. Dont just buy the first gun that comes along that happens to be in your budget. The issues it may have will end up costing you more in money and headaches in the long run. Another gun is always right around the corner.

And, it is always a good idea to wait and maybe even save up a few more pennies and buy the right gun, even if at a higher price than you want to spend.

So I should leave this one on the shelf at $800 ?

Your Gun $800
REBLUE BBL WITH NO METAL REPAIR $350 (Now I see Brian has identified as Damascus so $400-$500 and a longer wait due to limited craftsmen)
RECUT CHECKERING $300
REFINISH AND REPAIR STOCK $500

IF NOTHING ELSE WRONG $2000+/-. And it will be a reworked gun which you will never recover your money from.

A Parker GH you could be proud of just listed for members to see, ironically with the same chokes, in the Member's Only section and from a member who has honestly described the gun with ALL the important data and a history. Cheaper than the above nightmare. I just saw it also appears to have "unturned" screws. Worth more than a couple hundred dollars at least on a restoration.

Once you become a member you can see guns to buy from another member and sleep at night and not have buyer's remorse.

I'd walk away from this one. I also do not think you will find a "no issues" 12 gauge GH for under 1,000.00 but I've seen many at between 1,200.00 to 1,400.00 that are way nicer than this one.

You guys are great. Glad I signed up. Maybe I can find a nice one at the Northeast SXS.

Damascus?
 

Is “Special Steel” Damascus?