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- - Rebarreled Parkers (https://parkerguns.org/forums/showthread.php?t=26158)

"Assuming it was a 12 Gauge V Grade I was surprised when he told me it had "birds" engraved on it. A few pics later I was able to surmise it had been blued at some point and I believe the stock (English) has been replaced. It has a single selective trigger. "

The OP told us of his assumptions, both prior to/and after seeing (pics) of the gun. It is impossible to tell the original grade of the gun from the info provided, it is possible to surmise, that if the gun was indeed a V grade, that it has been significantly customized...which seems unlikely, for if it were a V grade, it is unlikely that the original fluid barrels should need replacing, or that a single trigger was installed, or that it would have any "birds" engraved on it...I would love the contact information of the seller!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brian Dudley (Post 262285)

Edgar, If you want the Incorrectly finished and restocked V grade 12g with aftermarket barrels for more than that, I am sure the OP may give you the owners number so that you can buy it from him.

True I did not see photos of the gun or know more than the OP described, but what he described is all I needed to know to make my assessment of the situation based on the information provided to me. As we all know, opinions on value ARE subjective and can vary. But... take into consideration that today there are a LOT of unmolested and all original VH grade, shooter quality, guns that are not selling for more than $1,000. So...

Again... MY opinion. so it does not matter all that much in the grand scheme of things.

Well, as we all know, opinions are like (*), everyone has one, and your post is as close to total BS as any I've seen. Where do you come to the conclusion that the gun is a V Grade? My post was certainly prior to the OP stating he thought it was a G grade.
What the OP described in his initial post said nothing of grade, except "bird" and SST. You make your assumptions based on as little info as that and it tells me your assumptions have little, if any value.

Edgar,

I will admit that this whole mess was a perfect example of my jumping to conclusions which I can do at times.

I will amend my comments simply to...

The fact that the bluing of the whole gun, restocking of the gun and replacement of the original barrels will have a significant impact on the value of the gun vs if it was original and unaltered.

Wow, didn't mean to stir up a storm here, I was simply questioning whether or not the aftermarket barrels made a difference on something besides a V grade gun. I guess I thought by mentioning the "birds" it would be understood that it was not simply a V Grade gun. I guess I posed the question wrong.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brian Dudley (Post 262334)

The fact that the bluing of the whole gun, restocking of the gun and replacement of the original barrels will have a significant impact on the value of the gun vs if it was original and unaltered.

Undoubtedly.
This is similar in nature to the recent thread about the gun altered by Col. Askins.
I have a 20ga. DHE that belonged to Otis Odom, and was altered by him. The butt stock was originally a PG stock, which he altered to straight. He straightened out the trigger guard, and did a beautiful job of inletting and checkering around the trigger guard tang. I think it's done to the highest quality of the many I have seen similarly modified, but recognize it's value is diminished greatly (fortunately, the guy who sold it to me felt the same way)

And then that brings up the eternal debate of weather provenance outweighs condition. Depends on which side of the deal you are on.

From a pure $$$ (investment) standpoint, condition will always (with rare exceptions) outweigh provenance. From a collectible viewpoint, it depends on what you are collecting. Original condition may not be a priority for you and play only a small part of what you would be willing to pay for a particular "well owned" gun. I think you have to view it from the stand point of: Are you investing? Are you collecting? or Perhaps you are doing both?

Quote:

This is similar in nature to the recent thread about the gun altered by Col. Askins.

The Parker Bros. DHE 10-gauge was not altered by Major Askins. Major Askins was editor of the Shotguns portion of the Arms & Ammunition section of Outdoor Life until mid-1941. That particular article was actually by J.A. MacKenzie of Toronto, Canada.

At least the fore end tip wasn’t blued.