And his horse too!

Bruce

Some people just don't know their limitations.

Den you could add this and have a pair of 10's....think driven clays:rotf:

C.O.B., Mr. Reed and Mr. Spencer,

What age group do you consider the current generation of shooters? If you mean teens and 20's, then yes, most are enamored with synthetics and semis. That, to me, is just the generation responding to fads and marketing. The pumpgun and the semi-auto contributed to the downfall of the American doublegun industry when former generations flocked to those actions for increased firepower and lower cost.

Tastes mature. I'm 40 now. I was almost 30 when an interest in classic doubles was sparked for me. Fortunately, the desire started around the time when I started to have the income to afford nicer firearms. I think for many of my generation, with all the demands of young families and kids in college, the disposable income isn't available to buy higher end guns. Given time, that will change.

There are a few of the younger generation who appreciate these guns. Danny Suponski comes to mind. From what I've learned through reading these threads, a lot of that is thanks to his father but also the community here. Take someone younger in to the fields and coverts this autumn. Let him or her use one of your doubles. Maybe you'll light a fire...

Cheers,
Marcus

Wouldn't you like to see the factory letter on that Parker and compare it with what it is now???

You are correct Marcus. If they ever shoot a light, balanced double the love will begin. There is nothing better then the feeling of cradling those double barrels in your hand on a rising target. I do not mean any disrespect to younger generations regarding my comments. They see beauty in a diffent form than I do. FYI, my generation is in their 60's. I had a love for old lever guns when I was a teenager. First one I ever shot was a Marlin 1892 in .22. Couldn't miss!!! Then, when I handled my first double I became even more addicted. Sorry, how did I digress down memory lane?

As I am the younger generation, I can appreciate the skill and craftsmanship of a fine Parker. I wish I could have seen all the beautiful racks of Damascus guns in a sporting goods store in the early 1900's. What a sight it must have been...

Marc,Thank You for the kind word's. Danny loves these old guns and he has an appreciation for the workmanship that went into them. I cannot take all the credit though as alot of his interest came from the great people he has met and befriended in the PGCA. I still can't believe how much he loves grouse hunting! Lately though he seems to be up to his ears in another kind of fine American craftsmanship.....the two legged female kind...:whistle::rotf:

dont worry the grouse hunting willcome back around... charlie

I got my dad into these old guns. Only problem is he likes the Winchester Model 21. I try to get all my friends converted. One now is into over and unders and another liked my side by sides and went out and bought a stoeger. :banghead:

One step at a time, Eldon. Once he finds out how much more enjoyable SxS guns are, you then need to educate him on quality and balance. He sounds ripe for becoming a convert.

Sometimes these conversions are a struggle. By the time I was 14, I had a Lefever, a 20 gauge Model 24 Winchester, and a Parker. That year, my Dad finally broke away from his Model 12 and bought an AYA Matador from Tendler's in DC. Four years later, in 1965, he went off the deep end and we split a pair of Model 21s. That's when I had him. Considering that I had my first double gun in about 1957 or so, the conversion took me about eight years. Now I'm wondering who was converting whom.

I don't want to admit it but we had a lot of fun shooting that 20 gauge stoeger. Not a piece of quality work but fun none the less. I had my 870 wingmaster and we traded off shooting 20 gauges. I guess when it comes down to it if it is a gun I like it. Some just more than others.

Would you have this gun restored----- only 30% color and many other surface defects, worn checkering etc.??????
http://jamesdjulia.com/auctions/view...p?lot=1438-346
Would restoration hurt the value of this gun? Improve the value and saleability?
If you would have this gun restored, what would you have done to it??

No, I'd leave it alone. Provenance is too strong to do anything to it.

I don't know what it's provenance is, but it's condition is way too nice to touch. I don't see it going much higher than the low estimate though. I'm guessing $18K, but what do I know?

No!

No way would I restore it or do anything to it except shoot it. If I lost my mind and did want to restore it, I would do a complete restoration as no partial refinish would enhance it in anyway, IMHO.

I used the term provenance incorrectly and Edgar's correct. The apparent limited production of this particular gun as noted in the auction page would dictate leaving it alone. It's apparently a too limited production model and still in decent shape to warrant messing with it. Only if it had major defects/damage etc. My 2 cents only.

If I had some type of mental breakdown and actually bought the gun from Julia I would do nothing to this except to use it in the way it was intended.

There wee about 100 16ga. CH guns, but only 4 with 32" tubes, so that in itself makes it rare. The C is somewhat more rare because it fell in between the D and the B with very little more coverage than the D, but 50% more expensive.
I had a nice 30" 16ga. CHE that was my dad's. I believe that was my daughter's first year of her master's degree. I believe I shall remind her of this often, very very often.

That is one beautiful gun. I would do nothing to it except to shoot it and enjoy it for years. I can only hope to someday own a gun that nice.

Dennis

Opinions on Restorations
 

Since we are playing what if, and yes I know it's not a Parker.

http://jamesdjulia.com/auctions/view...p?lot=1480-346

What about this one?

I have one similar but no stock head repair.

Thanks, Will

Will, I would have the action tightened up and put back on face and then have the checkering redone by a professional. I would have him take a look at the pistol grip and make it presentable. Other than that I would not touch the gun for restoration purposes. It is a great old gun to me.

Dennis

It's a matter of preference, If your going to own and shoot it for 50 years as I would. Then its going to need some work eventually. Enjoy them, if you want to buy something for an investment visit a banker.

Restored guns that are identified as restored or as an upgrade are personal preference. A vh that is described as a gh with skeet specs( but not called a skeet gun) is pure dishonesty! My one and only Parker is a 1950 Remington restored 1922 PHE with original specs so no prejudice advanced or implied.