DH-12ga-dam-26 inch . made in 1900 . I use them all

The line between shooting/hunting and collecting is different for each person. One needs to be comfortable with what they are carrying afield because it will suffer some wear and tear from use.

Some characteristics are not very well suited for hunting, like a checkered or skeletal butt when hunting from a blind where guns will be standing in a blind with the butt in the dirt sucking up moisture.

The risk of a fall or dropping a gun is ever present for all us so one needs to keep that in mind. Nobody is happy about damaging a Parker, even a Trojan, but a low grade shooter will hurt less if something happens.

I hunt with most of mine.

I shoot all my trap with a SC. If it's doubles, I use a tighter than tight VH. Hunting- it's either a family (great grand father) Parker or great shooting GH. Geese require ugly Italian plastic and steel. I haven't built up the courage to shoot steel in a Parker yet but I'll use a V,P, or G with Nice or bismuth on geese this fall as I want to get a double pin.

Thank you all for the great responses!
I'm glad to see that most indeed hunt their Parkers.
I definitely intend to take mine afield...when I find it
that is.

Bobby

Rich, that explains things.

hunting with my Parker
 

I will be 70 yrs old when bird season opens next year! I am not saving the good stuff for later! I enjoy it now , that includes hunting with the best guns I have. Jesse

I find that I buy a Parker (or Fox or Elsie) to hunt with, take birds with it for a few years and then I tend to retire it as my go to gun. I then repeat the process over and over. I find it very difficult to part with a gun that is associated with great memories, I guess that's why I have a safe full of old hunting companions.

Just shoot them....

DLH

Hunting is an adventure
 

I hunt with a Parker
I hunt wild Chukar with my Parker's and yes we have taken some bad falls you understand Chukar hunting in my mind is equal to sheep hunting in BC or Alaska and the bumps and bruise are all part of the adventure take your Parker and enjoy it or hang it on the wall and look at it I think I know what Mr. Parker would say to do
I love it when I hear of someone hunting wild birds with just two shots enjoy
Alton

A fine shotgun is the perfect combination of art and function.They are pleasant to look at, but are built to use.The real joy of owning a Parker is to make a great shot,accept the bird from your dog,look at the gun,and say to yourself "ain't life good!"Shoot them,clean them, and pass them on when you leave.