Funny color and not lined up. I said it was a nice gun, but.

Each to their own but I think people are not ever going to replicate original case colors because the make up of the steel is different.i have three repros and the 28 gauge colors are different than the color of the two 20 gauge guns that seem way lighter even though not hardly used much. I think the repros have Crome in the steel and the old real Parkers dont.
Look how red the screws look in the re cased Repro

I think most Parker guys would think a DHE repro with properly muellered checkering borders, enhanced engraving, shellac stock finish and true case coloring would be an improvement over a factory DHE repro. Probably it would not be valued enough higher to cover the cost of the upgrades though. As long as repros are not considered highly collectible, I would have no problem doing this if it was what I wanted. Recoil pads and screw in choke tubes are another thing though, as functional as they may be. I pass completely whenever I see those for sale, same as a pre-war commercial Mauser sporter that has been drilled for scope bases. JMPOs.

I had the work done on the gun because that's the way I wanted it, not to increase the value. When I part with the gun (and I am going to list it within the next week or so) I will price it based on the value of the configuration: English stock, double triggers, beavertail forend, two-barrel set.

These screws might pass muster.

...but then these two are a little off. However, I think I will keep the guns and suffer with the knowledge that I have crooked screws. Probably not that hard to fix if I decide it's important.

I didn't alter a repro to increase it's price: I did it to make it fit better. There will be, in 50years or a hundred years, those who cherish the unaltered Repro's. There are fellows who right now, shudder at any changes. God Bess 'em.
But I want to shoot mine NOW, and if it's too long, I will shorten it. If 28 inch 28 gauge barrels are choked to the point of just past silly.....I will have them honed out to where they work for me. I won't quite go the "Elmer Fudd Blunderbuss" choking; but these are great guns I paid for, and I am going to enjoy them for as long as I live, and leave the
horrid fact I put a kick-eez pad on one to historians and collectors.
Sam Ogle, Lincoln, NE

This discussion occurs fairly often on www.accuratereloading.com, particularly relating to alterations on pre-war classic sporting rifles. People are always free to do whatever they wish with their guns and purists & collectors are free to disapprove. There was a guy recently who put a picatinny rail on his H&H double rifle. Whatever.

I didn't realize that they discuss Parker Reproductions on accuratereloading.com.

I think Mr. Armstrong was just making the point that shooters vs collectors happens with other guns as well.
I once had an old trapshooter tell me: "You can't find a Parker single-barrel trap gun that hasn't had someone idiot change something on it." While the point was well taken, I also recall that this trapshooter traded constantly, because he refused to change a gun to fit him properly, so was constantly looking for the "one."
When he passed, lots of fellows assumed he had a closet of fine guns......not so. He had traded many times, but never got the gun which "fit."
So, I don't want to start a war of words here, but I will shorten a gun to fit me, then shoot it for a long time.......and let the heirs worry about unchanged authenticity.
They are a tool to me.....not a priceless, revered object not to be touched.
(Ducking now, going down in my hole like a prairie dog under fire.)
Sam

Sam, I understand exactly the point Mr. Armstrong was making. Of course people are free to make whatever alterations they want to their firearms. And others are free to disagree. But, that was not my intention, nor the focus of this thread -- which is what these alterations do to a Parker Repro in terms of value and collectibility.

Greg,
Recognizing that your question is of two (2) quite different parts, I will address each as I see it.
1. Collectibility: I consider very few Repros as "Collectibles". They have not yet reached that status. Maybe in 50 years. So if not collectible then they are just shooters and speculative investments.
2. Value: Even as mere shooters modifications reduce market value. The gun I posted a picture of with the recoil pad, when this post started, was purchased by me for $2500 with case, cover and original SBP and screws. That was, at the time, about $1500 below market for an unaltered 99% gun.
Bob Jurewicz

Recoil pads & choke alterations reduce value/collectibility.
Expertly enhanced engraving, muellered borders, case coloring & stock finish are positives to me, but probably have little effect on value/collectiblity.
Emphasize expertly, otherwise a mediocre job definitely reduces value/collectibility/desirability.
If in the future repros achieve similar status as original Parkers, any alteration will be seen as a negative.

I agree with Sam and take comfort in knowing that Doug Turnbull's grandson will be able to fix ANYTHING 50 years from now!

If you don't plan to sell the gun and are pleased with the re-case colors then by God, just enjoy the gun and let your heirs worry (or not) about re-sale value. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder and you're the beholder and that's all that matters. my 2 cents only.

Using Bob J's terminology, "speculative investments" as opposed to real collector guns, be aware that the modified Repro market will not include those buyers interested in "speculative investments". The modified Repro market will also not include collectors. What is left is the shooter market where buyers are interested in Repros at well below retail prices. I would love to buy another 28 gauge in "shooter" condition, at about $1500 to $2000 below normal retail price.