Bwahahaa Mike that's good. I'm trying to find the photo of the black synthetic stock you had put on your VH.

Thank you for all of your help gentlemen, I really appreciate it. I know to do everything will be expensive for sure. I might need to do it in stages. The serial numbers between the receiver and the forestock do not match and its in bad shape. Mechanically everything's seems to be in order, tight on face and the barrels ring true. I'm mostly looking for a nice gun for me that I can hunt with once in a while and still be a show piece in my collection. All of my other vintage side by sides are basic field models from Fox, Ithaca and Lefever. I thought a DH grade Parker was a higher grade gun and that's when I'm interested in restoring it.


Ben

Gee Ben, I was on your team until this little known fact came out. Start over by replacing that parts gun with one with good bones and then go for it. At least then you'll have something you can sell for 25% of what you spent instead of 5% of what you spent.

I think it will be a perfect hunting gun which is what I'm looking for. I love hunting waterfowl with those classic side by sides, it's like stepping back in time. Just something special about it. I'm a hunter first and a collector second so I'm ok with the lower collector value because I want to use it for many years and don't plan on selling it and it will look fantastic when Chris has finished working his magic on it. I'm very excited about it!

Ben

Ben, I hope you’ll share some photos from that first hunt with your “new” gun.

I will for sure.

Ben

Ben

I have been following this thread and realize that you are not a member and can't access the member forums. One of the big reasons to join is to check the sales forums for good buys or just info. Last week there was a 12 ga DHE with 32 " barrels listed for sale in the high-mid $2000 range. It had been restored several years ago and was in great shape, had been in a collection and was listed as being in solid condition by a well known seller. All finishes looked good and would have made a solid trap or waterfowl gun that was impressive to see and use. It sold quickly. Deals like this come up all the time. When I bought my first two Parkers a few years ago I bought a 12 ga G grade and a 16 ga D grade that had been totally restored and then not obviously shot only a few years before. I paid in the range of $2500 to 3000 for both of them and they are magnificent looking guns. I recieved documentation on both of the restorations and the work for the restorations was between 2 and 3 times what I paid, and didn't include the purchase price of the guns.

This is just the reality of the market and it is relatively easy to find buys like this if patient. Spend some time really researching the market and then compare your gun to what you find. Then decide if you would rather spend thousands of dollars restoring the gun you have or buy two more completely restored guns and doing any required maintenence work on the one you have. Most people, unless it is a family heirloom, will generally come down on the practical side of the equation.

Ben

I have been following this thread and realize that you are not a member and can't access the member forums. One of the big reasons to join is to check the sales forums for good buys or just info. Last week there was a 12 ga DHE with 32 " barrels listed for sale in the high-mid $2000 range. It had been restored several years ago and was in great shape, had been in a collection and was listed as being in solid condition by a well known seller. All finishes looked good and would have made a solid trap or waterfowl gun that was impressive to see and use. It sold quickly. Deals like this come up all the time. When I bought my first two Parkers a few years ago I bought a 12 ga G grade and a 16 ga D grade that had been totally restored and then not obviously shot only a few years before. I paid in the range of $2500 to 3000 for both of them and they are magnificent looking guns. I recieved documentation on both of the restorations and the work for the restorations was between 2 and 3 times what I paid, and didn't include the purchase price of the guns being restored..

This is just the reality of the market and it is relatively easy to find buys like this if patient. Spend some time really researching the market and then compare your gun to what you find. Then decide if you would rather spend thousands of dollars restoring the gun you have or buy two more completely restored guns and doing any required maintenence work on the one you have. Most people, unless it is a family heirloom, will generally come down on the practical side of the equation.

Thank you Art. I didn't't realize there was another membership to sign up to and I'll do that right away.

I'm newer to the classic side by sides and have so much to learn. Luckily for me the gunsmith has a stock and forend on hand so it will be much less expensive than having a new stock made. Going forward though I will definitely be a little more patient on buying guns. I did buy this DHE for very cheap and in Canadian dollars which also helped. I really appreciate you taking the time to teach me this.

Ben

Sorry for the confusion Ben. I thought I saw your original posting and thought it showed you as a Forum Associate. They are all shown as PGCA Member now, so you should be able to view the For Sale sections. Browse through several months of these and you will see real life examples and pictures of guns that are sold.