Two new Parker's
 

Brought home 2 new Parker's from an auction last weekend.
A 10 guage lifter and a 12 guage V grade.

Need a little help to identify the 10 gauge lifter. I know that it was made in 1880 Serial number 18470. From what I read on the site here is that after 1875 the guns should have a grade and pre 1875 the guns are given a dollar value.... so this gun should have a grade but I didn't find any examples in the pictures provided that I could match it to.
The stock has been redone at some point, but all serial numbers match.
Here are some pictures:
(the shiny oval on the one side plate is a registration sticker not sure why the powers that be deemed that necessary when the gun has a serial number!)

http://i794.photobucket.com/albums/y...r/IMG_3672.jpg

http://i794.photobucket.com/albums/y...r/IMG_3662.jpg

http://i794.photobucket.com/albums/y...r/IMG_3661.jpg

http://i794.photobucket.com/albums/y...r/IMG_3650.jpg

http://i794.photobucket.com/albums/y...r/IMG_3653.jpg

http://i794.photobucket.com/albums/y...r/IMG_3671.jpg

The other is a redone V grade 12 guage from 1906. Serial number 136705. Serial numbers match except for the trigger guard, so obviously it has been replaced. Would like some opinions on the quality of the refinishing.
Here are a few pictures:

http://i794.photobucket.com/albums/y...r/IMG_3695.jpg

http://i794.photobucket.com/albums/y...r/IMG_3694.jpg

http://i794.photobucket.com/albums/y...r/IMG_3688.jpg

http://i794.photobucket.com/albums/y...r/IMG_3684.jpg

http://i794.photobucket.com/albums/y...r/IMG_3681.jpg

Sorry, I should have had my photographer (hubby) take some closeups of the case colors...

I am so glad this forum is here, you are all so helpful to newbies like me!

Wendy

The V grade appears to have been colored by use of a torch,although it is hard to be sure.

I agree with Robert.

18470 is a grade 0 gun and was originally made with 32" barrels.

What did you end up paying for them?

Not sure but looks like the hammers dont match

You're right Steve.

Wendy,

I thanked you for posting photos and serial numbers when asking for an evaluation!

You have two nice Parkers. While they may not be museum quality they are fine examples of Parker Brother's enduring quality. Assuming that both guns are tight on face and have clean bores that have NOT been reamed to thin (obviously the barrel thickness's should be checked) they should great shooters that can be passed to the next generation.

I've taken doubles on ducks and geese this season with DH and EH ten bores. My good old (actually pretty new) Benelli M2 with heavy Shot would have slayed waterfowl easier but hunting with a 120 year gun just seems like a better thing to do!

Best of luck to you with your two new Parkers!!!

Respectfully,
Mark

yes a stright grip hammer gun what more could you want. Well maybe a stright grip d grade with a skeleton buttplate, but one can never be satisfied.:) ch

You should get some good advice on collecting Parkers before you continue. The hammer gun shows serious defects in fit of wood to metal, which indicates amateur disassembly and "fooling around" which brings value down to zero in short order. Poor fit of metal to metal is another indication of bad gunsmithing that brings value to zero quickly. The hammerless gun shows very bad gunsmithing and refinish and such work has brought that gun to zero collector value. Zero collector value translates into zero shooter value because shooters don't buy Parkers just to shoot, they want to be proud of them when they show them off. More and more people these days know about good Parkers and bad guns are recognized by more shooters and casual collectors every day. Be careful.

Bill, I think you're being a bit hard in you're values. I don't buy to collect [ can't afford it ] - I buy to shoot. All your points are what buyers look at - but I wouldn't say zero for value. Good, sound " beaters " are worth from 600 to a 1000. JMHI - Paul

Over the last 30 years, there have been four books written about Parkers and what to look for in a collectible and shootable gun.
The PGCA has been in existance for 15 years and we have a great publication, The Parker Pages. We have this web site showing photos of good Parkers and we have helpful forum members who freely give advice.
PGCA members display good guns at most major gun shows.
The PGCA has had major displays at each of the last five Pheasants Forever Pheasant Fest gatherings, attended by 20,000 to 30,000 each time.
There have been dozens of articles about Parkers and what to look for in The Double Gun Journal, Shooting Sportsman, NRA Hunter, Pheasants Forever magazine, Quail Unlimited magazine, and probably others.

Any other ideas about what else we can do to get the word out?