Yes, Diane, this is a rare and valuable gun, but insuring it is a bit of an overreaction. Any household policy should cover one gun's worth of damage or theft. Any of us would be willing to write you an appraisal in case of loss.

I would think a cowboy action shooter might be interested in a gun like this but I am not sure many if those guys shoot Damascus barrels. Its greater value may be in its parts.

Cut barrels from 30 to 28 would hurt the value but it would still have some appeal with reasonable length barrels but in my opinion, cutting it from 30 to 19 destroys the value.

What a shame, at one time it was a very desirable Parker!

Diane, there are readers of this thread searching for a set of barrels for that gun as we speak. By the way, I just reread the thread and see that no one has corrected the "D quality" post. The D in the Serialization Book refers to Damascus barrels, not the grade of the gun. When our researcher examines the stock book entry, he may see a notation that will expand our knowledge of this gun.

The forend wood is original - no question in my mind about that - however, and again, how unfortunate, the buttstock appears to be a replacement (in my opinion) and further detracts from the gun's value. What a magnificent Parker it once was.

Dianne: You should still send for a research letter. If there is no information Mark will return your check. If there is it could possibly show who the gun was originally shipped to. It could, possibly, have been one of the early stagecoach or banking companies which would explain the cutoff barrels. "If Only These Old Guns Could Talk, What A Story They Could Tell"

Best Regards, George

George, being such a high-grade Parker I'd be very surprised if this was ordered by a bank or overland express companies such as W.F.& Co. as a coach gun.

Dean: I would too, but you never know!

Best Regards, George

want to send for letter
 

ok so when requesting a letter, they ask what grade it is so is it D grade?

Diane ,Go to our Home Page ,scroll down to " Research Letters " ,Click it then copy the required form and fill it out with the Full Serial # ,then send it off and you will receive a letter on your gun in a few weeks ! Before sending you should consider joining the PGCA ,The price for a letter is $40.00 if you are a member or $100.00 if you are not ! There are other advantages of becoming a member also ,we have a Great Quarterly Magazine also a " For Sale " section on our site here that is for Members Only ,Plus we would all enjoy having you for a Member of the PGCA ,we have many interesting conversations , once you are here , most never leave ! Best ; Russ

Diane,

I do the research letters now, not Mark Conrad. As mentioned go to the Research Letters link on the home page and print out the form. Don't worry about the grade, I'm following this thread. I'll type out the letter with all the information available and send it to you.

The request shows the address to send it to which is P.O. Box 126502 Harrisburg, Pa. 17112

Chuck Bishop