Need a approx. value to sell brother's Parker
 

Hi this is my first post so if I run afoul of protocol let me know.

My brother asked me to sell his parker for him and though I love most things firearms related, I know when I need advice from someone else.

From info found mostly on this website I know this gun was made in 1879. I'm not sure what the M and U stand for and I guess the 6433 is an order number. The 3 and 8 are the barrels weight?

The butt plate is recent replacement made of wood. Is there anything unusual that may have a bearing on value?

I really am in the dark about value, I have been told $600 and also $1400. There are a couple of guys that want me to give them a price asap. Any help would be appreciated.

With the usual caveat that valuing a gun without having it in hand is only to make a guess, I will submit that the $600 figure is the closest to true value and in reality, true value is probably less. The gun is Parker's lowest grade, it has a dent in the barrel, it is missing the original buttplate and we do not know the condition of the bores. There is basically no original finish left on the gun, and thus, has limited collector value. I am sorry to sound harsh, but it is what it is.

I agree, Gary

I agree also
David

Thanks for the quick answers guys. I was asking for advice so I can't complain about what I might hear. Everybody thinks their baby is beautiful but tiswutitis.

Now does anybody know where I can get some expert advice on old Winchesters ...models 97 & 12?

Go to winchester collector.org for the rifles. I also agree on the approxiamte face value of your Parker.

Thanks for the tip C.O.B.

I hate to see those old guns go but it's time to loosen my vise like grip ...well maybe I'll keep the '97 Trap a little longer. :)

yoy never said what gauge this gun is...if its a 16 ga this gun will be worth more than a 12 gauge for sure...its a fairly early model by the serial no.. charlie

The values is also affected by the barrel and actions serial number not matching. Since they were from two different guns and not original.

Charlie - it is a 12 gauge.

Eldon - I sorry I did not get a better picture up with the first batch. The ser # is on the end of the barrel lug (odd place to put a number). See pics.

I have it's twin in 10 gage that has the best piece of wood I have ever seen on a Parker of this vintage. It is off face and has a bulge about 3" from the left muzzle. Does anybody have a suggestion as to who might remove the bulge? I have no intention of shooting it unless I get some Brileys installed but it just seems to good to waste as a parts gun. It has minor cracks in the stock, and the barrels ring like church bells even with the bulge. I just finished the "whatchamacallit" Parker and there is far more to work with here than there was when I first got that one. Give me a hand guys, I don't need much of an excuse to bring it back up as close as possible. I work cheap(for myself at least), Lee.:bigbye:

Eldon, the number on the barrel flat is the order number. The serial would be on the end of the locking lug and on the left, vertical side of same.

Eldon: I would like to apologize for what appears to be a hijacking of your thread. You posted such good pictures I guess I thought I could benefit from them to get my questions answered without posting my own pictures. I got lazy! I wish you well in your efforts and I know for both of us that we have a couple of very early guns that aren't in every street corner pawn shop despite the fact they don't command spectacular prices. Lee:crying:

how bout that! I even typed in the wrong name Brian! This getting old is hell. Lee.:bowdown:

No problem Lee, lazy works for me.
As I said earlier, my brother gave me this gun to sell for him. I have had it for several years and figured I better get it done before some fire, flood or tornado took care of it for us.
Well my first post to the forum went well, posted late Monday night, got an answer to my question Tuesday morning and sold it to a local guy who collects antique decoys in the afternoon. One of the reasons I didn't get around to it sooner is, not having any experience with old Parkers it can be difficult to decide on a price. I know with Parkers, as with most things collectable, the finer points can make all the difference and it can take a long time and some heartache to learn. I'm getting short on time and have had enough heartache so I got lazy and looked you guys up. At least now I know I didn't "throw the baby out with the bathwater". Ends up it went for $550 and I threw in an old "mutton leg" gun case I had laying around.
The only problem is now I am out of Parkers so I suppose you guys will disown me with disgust ...anyone who sells his only Parker must have a terminal illness! (I don't) :)

If you guys don't mind I'll lurk in the shadows and hope to find another old Parker to get me back in the club.

Lurk all you want it's no problem. Consider joinging the PGCA it's the best $40 you'll spend this year. There is a lot of good information in Parker Pages our quarterly magazine thats included in your membership.

Thanks for the the invite C.O.B.

Brian: You don't know how close to the truth you are! I recently had a second open heart surgery replacing an aortic valve and fixing two anurisms. As my chances weren't all that good it was decided to sell my entire collection keeping only some that were to go to my son and my 12 gage and 20 gage "Clays" guns. The surgery was obviously successful (March 27th), and I have since acquired a Syracuse Le Fever steel barrel ejector gun, a new Browning 625 Sporting 28 gage, and most recently the 10 gage Parker hammer gun, a Parker VHE 12 gage, and a Belgian Browning Superposed. It's a disease don't fight it, the only cure is another Parker. Lee.:bigbye:

I was unaware of order numbers. You learn something new everyday especially on this forum.

Lee, glad to hear you are back in business! and it sounds like you are well on your way to replenishing your stock. ...."it only hurts for a little while":whistle: