Parkers were made in a different era, though manufactured, handwork and individual attention to detail mattered. The guns were well balanced and well made. I would say that even if the gun is only valued at $400 in dollars, it is a far nicer piece of sporting equipment than you can buy new today.

If it were me, and again this is my opinion, I would leave it as is and cherish what it represents. I lost my father recently and I would love to have something of personal historical significance like that gun. I wouldn't touch it or shoot it.

Thank you all for your help. I inherited this gun when my father passed in ‘86 (my uncle a few years prior). I always assumed it was a good piece because he always bought good equipment: Snap-On for example.
My dad hunted on Point Pelee, Lake Erie back in the ‘40’s and ‘50’s. After that, it was used for shooting ground hogs.
I don’t hunt but I have a friend who shoots competitively and he is interested in maybe taking it over. Maybe giving it a good home is the best outcome.
Once again, thanks.
Merry Christmas.

John, good luck with your father's gun. It's an privilege to be the caretaker of a part of history, especially your own family's history.

My take for whatever that's worth....

Given this was your Father's gun. I'd try to find a reputable "stock" guy to repair and possible recut the checkering and refinish the stock. The fact your father or someone in your family etched the chokes of the barrels on the flats is just added history on the gun. Like has been said, this is not a "collector" gun, and it's value comes in sentiment, not dollars.

Get the stock fixed, maybe have experienced gunsmith do thorough cleaning and analysis on it's shootability. Get some RST 12's and go shoot some birds with it once in a while. Rest of the time, hang it on the wall and cherish the memories it has been a part of.

But hey, that's just me... :D

Don’t sell it. You will regret it if you do. It was and is family. Family has value that is immeasurable. It may not mean a great deal to you but to some family member following on it will.

I agree with the don’t sell crowd unless you need the money, aren’t allowed anymore clutter or don’t want guns in the house. If that gun was owned by my Dad only severe desperation or mental impairment would be reason for getting rid of it. If I wasn’t going to shoot it I would leave it alone. If I was going to shoot I would send it to Brian Dudley and get it repaired. These are not run of the mill guns. Even though yours is a lower grade and not particularly valuable it is still a gun made to the highest standards of quality and workmanship this country ever produced. When this gun was produced it was beyond the means of most Americans.