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Parker A
 

Hi all. I am thinking about geting the gun restored. What is your option on this? Is it better to keep it original?

If you have it "restored" you must do it right or you will destroy value. You must have the right person or people do the job correctly. Above all else, Do No Harm to it. The wrong choice can ruin its value. A Grades are rare enough without eliminating one more of them from the pool of nice ones. If it were me I would think long and hard about it... and I probably wouldn't do anything to it besides a good cleaning and possibly putting it back on-face if it is off-face.

And it will be expensive to do it right.

Edward,

Get you and your AH to Hausmann's Hidden Hollow the first weekend in June. There will be plenty of Parker collectors and Parker gunsmiths there to evaluate your AH.

Decide what to do after you know what you have...

A restoration will cost much and take a long time!

Mark

I always try to keep a gun a year before I do anything major and irreversible. I have the triggers done, the action tightened etc... but as far as refinishing or bluing barrels I always wait. I usually wind up not doing anything at all.

Best,


Mike

Edward: Dean is correct. Think long and hard before opting for a full restoration. A restored Parker is just that! In doing so you will, most probably, not enhance the value beyond where it is now and could, possibly, decrease it. A good cleaning in & out would be fine, but before going further show it to some of the members here who know. IMHO

Best Regards, George

Is there any members near NJ that would be willing to take a look at the Old A grade.

Ed

Why don't you post rally good photos of the gun. This way many of us can really see what you have. Then we may be able to give you a better opinion.

From what I can see, it looks like a nice gun. Doesnt appear damaged or completely worn out. Have you had the barrel thickness measured? I'd do that first. If they are too thin, that would eliminate a restoration, IMO. If the barrels are good, I'd find someone who you are sure can pick up the engraving without ruining it and give you a quote. You'll probably have sticker shock. That may have a big affect on your decision.

No matter, it will probably be worth less then what you have into it after a correct restoration. That's just the way it is. I've restored everything from antique cars to guns, and if done correctly, I was always upside down. But it would be cool to see a brand new AH. If I really wanted one, I would do it if I had a gun that was really worn out.

Ray

I wouldn't touch the engraving. I'd like handling it and thinking about how much time the gun spent in someones hand to have worn the engraving a bit smooth like it is. It's unbelievable really. How can a human hand wear engraving like that?? What a great honest gun. I like it just the way it is. I'd make sure it's functionally sound and safe and take care of any corrosion and wood issues it might have such as oil soaking and thin finish but that's about it.

Parker Gun Letter
 

Thanks Chuck