I agree with that to some extent. However there is a limit to that to some extent. At some point you are ruining a significant historical item. I once attended a car show where someone had on display a unique Austin Healy factory racing roadster. It had an all aluminum louvered body, factory modified as to almost every frame, suspension, drivetrain and body piece. Only six had been built as factory works cars. He had this all documented as part of his display. He also documented his hot rod work as to a Ford rear end, V8 engine, hood scoops, low profile wide tires with fancy rims etc. I asked and he had simply junked all the factory parts. He couldn't understand why no one wanted to discuss his masterpiece.

My personal opinion is that the authenticity ruler is often applied at to low a point, but it does need to be considered. At some point you need to consider the impact on the legacy.

Conversely, the higher the grade, the greater impact it has on collector value, at least I think it does. I agree that restocking an otherwise un-shootable gun is often what puts the biggest grin on your mug.
The choice in who does the work can mitigate, to some extent, any negative change in value, and the higher the grade, the fewer your choices are in who does the work.

I have my grandfathers/ dad's 16 ga vh. I grew up with gun and still shoot it. So it has many fond memories. When my grandfather ordered it from Parker he had very specific dimensions made to it. My dad shot it. I shot it growing up but had to seriously adjust my shooting given the stock dimensions. My brother inherited it but seldom shot it. I asked him for it bit he would only agree if I paid him for it. Needless to say he's an asshole. In any event I bought it off him as I wanted to shoot birds with it and keep it in the family. But the stock just did t fit so about 12 yrs ago I had Larry DelGrego restock it to fit me. A yr later it was done. No regrets. One of my grandsons who shoots birds with me will inherit it. I shoot it occasionally on skeet at the club and when I do it brings back many fond memories of hunting it with my dad. God bless Parker Brothers for these guns.

And, I would add that, to restock a high grade Parker, or any other make for that matter, simply because the original stock doesn't fit you well is the last reason a gun should be restocked... Go find a gun that fits you to your liking and keep a high grade gun as original as possible.





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And I would add that restocking a Parker that's been in your family for many years but just doesn't fit you and you want to keep it in the family...go ahead and have it restocked to fit you and bring you many more years of enjoyment.

Allen, the difference, no matter the personal attachment, between a V grade at 4K and a Grade 8 at 25x as much is another matter. All day long replace the stock on a VH but if at all possible keep the grade 8 as original as possible

I have only re stocked one shot gun for a shorter stock for my wife and sons. The original goes back on for myself. I do not see a problem here, the original stock still exists so no value is lost. When sold the new owner has a choice of one or the other.

I think keeping the original stock helps, but depending on how valuable the particular gun is it’s maybe not be so simple to just put the original back on. I for one, would not even hazard the thought of trying to remove a restock on an A1, then put the original on. So many opportunities for the slip of a screwdriver or the slip of a hand to put you out thousands.

That’s an extreme example, but illustrates the point. You might need to pay someone to change it out, and your going to want someone you trust. It’s not a trip to the LGS

It takes value away in the form of inconvenience. IMHO. I will pay less if I have to do work to get the gun back to its original value state. Even more less if I have to find someone to do it for me.