Mr. Corley:
Don't let the naysayers get to you. As someone who owns more than one fine gun with outstanding provenance, I can tell you that your Parker 28 undoubtedly has added value.

How "much" is the question. And to answer that, you have to sell the gun. Which is something none of us like to do.

But think of it this way: Take that Parker and its provenance to Cowan's and put it alongside a few other Parker 28s in roughly the same condition. Then let the bidding begin.

I will wager that your gun brings a LOT more!

So, relax. And enjoy your treasure. It will return a worthy price when you are ready to sell. The rest of this is just talk...

IMHO: take two guns of similar condition, grade, gauge, ect., and same price. Lay them side by side. One has well owned provenance, the other does not. The one with provenance will probably sell first. It may even command a slight premium. The problem is when folks discover that their gun was once owned by someone of past fame or fortune, (no matter who it was) they think they have found a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. Historically speaking perhaps they have, but in strict monetary terms not necessarily so. If you can connect it to someone like Annie Oakley, then all bets are off. But then anything connected with Miss Oakley renders collectors insane. Selling a gun with special provenance requires a very special and limited market. 98 + % of the people on this forum or in the general market place are not going to pay significantly more for a gun just because it belonged to the one time rich and famous. I, however, really, really, really like a gun with provenance. I think the gun in question was a fabulous find with a wonderful history and would encourage Mr. Corely to do lots of research. I promise that it will add untold personal value to the gun for him.

Could not agree more John. Provenance is what makes a gun stand out from the crowd, at least as far as I'm concerned. Just holding a gun that someone of note has owned and shot brings a special connection to a time long ago that I think we all would like to relive.

My guns without provenance are for sale. The ones with good provenance, especially shooter provenance, not so much. Of course, my feeling about this puts me in the minority of Parker owners. So, John, how about the Fred Kimble B Grade hammer gun?

Still searching.

Me to. Every day:):):)

Maybe not for the Fred Kimble gun but always something interesting.

The gratifying rewards of the 'chase'.

That same "chase" with the same guy put me on an 1892 Deluxe Takedown 44-40 yesterday:)

to me a gun that has a little history with it is special to me especially if i get the gun from somebody i know well and they hunted with it...for instance i got a g grade 20 ga parker from russ jackson a f. a. loomis 8 ga from destrey hofford...these gun s means a lot to me because of there owners...got more guns from other fellows which mean as much to meoff the site its worth telling about a d h grade parker with damascus barrels owned by the founder of johnson and jonson medical supplies its mr robert woods johnson gun...anyway history to a gun is important at least to me....charlie