Edward, You should join the PGCA the benefits out weigh the cost, as far as value, hard to tell unless it is in your hands and know the BWT and such things the laminated barrels will be stunning when refinished, I count them right up with Bernard brls. I love Parker hammer guns and own a few, For your info I bought a 16gauge with 38 inch barrels on a 0 frame with milled out receiver, these long barrel guns are rare and hard to find, prices on these guns are pretty steep, so consider, Gary

Wow, what a gun, and I am generally not a big bore guy. If it were mine, I would strip the bluing off the receiver and other parts that are supposed to be case colored. I would redo those laminate barrels, they will look stunning--maybe someone will post a picture of their redone laminate barrels for you to see. Not so sure I would recase color the receiver, I like the nice patina of a well used gun.
How do the bores look? Even if the gun was lightly honed, there is probably plenty of wall thickness there. Dave Fjelline in Lincoln, Ca. could evaluate those barrels for you.

Thank You! to everyone here who has responded with your information and advice. What a great bunch of people. I have learned more in one afternoon than I would have, spending days on the internet (and still would not have gotten this far). I am going to ask my friend some questions about the woman who left him this gun many years ago, It seems that she worked for a rather famous (infamous?) cowboy as an accountant (with benefits!). She was a very capable and tough-minded businesswoman who oversaw and managed her boss's investments. I'll try to get that story straight and report back. I will also be joining PGCA and ordering a letter on this gun. Thanks again to all of you for your generosity and information. Regards, Ed Hale

Looking forward to hearing more about your gun.

Join first order letter second and you will save money instantly. Great big gun and great gun. Gerald

Beautiful rare gun
 

You could go a few more lifetimes and never find another one of those.

Brawley California is only 55 miles SW of the Cibola National Wildlife Refuge which sits on the Colorado river. Thousands of migrating geese and ducks lift off the river every morning in the fall and go to the fields to eat.
Can you imagine that 10 gauge with some non tox shot swinging on a flock of decoying geese.
How great would that be. And it's doable.:cool:

I appreciate your comments. I manage some farm property very near the Cebola Wildlife refuge. I have never hunted the river, but I have taken my share of honkers, ducks, pheasants, doves, and quail, here in Imperial Valley and the Salton Sea area over the years. I think your right, the two things that would overcome the considerable weight of this gun would be the romantic idea of hunting with a 129-year-old shotgun and the adrenalin rush of having a flock of honkers drop in on a spread of decoys. Regards, Ed

If you fellows could recommend a shortlist of gunsmiths who can do a great job of removing the blueing and any other restoration work that this gun may need to get it back into as original condition as possible, I would be very grateful. I want to start a conversation with them and learn as much as I can about this gun. I have joined the PGCA and sent off a request for a letter on this gun. Thanks again to everyone for your hospitality and for sharing your considerable knowledge. Regards, Ed

Alot of people here use Bachelders for restoration work .
https://www.mastergunmakers.com/contact

You can contact Parker Bachelder on here as hes a member .
Heres some photos of their work .

https://www.facebook.com/pg/bachelde...=page_internal

Congrats on joining one of the best double gun forums .

Brian Dudley, a member here, could also assist you with this.