I've got the shakes
 

Just bought a 12ga DH Hammergun. I bought my first parker, a GH 16, just last July. I feel powerless to combat these overwhelming desires to collect Parkers. Anyone have any advice?

The SN Is 50494 anyone have any info on it? Should be 30 Dam bbls, cyl + cyl. #1 Frame.

Hooked

Post pictures then remortgage the house.

Enjoy the ride. Only 2 Parkers since July? Sounds to me like you are staying on the wagon rather well

Ha,ha. I'll get pics up when the gun arrives. You'll have to help me explain to my wife how I'm barely getting started. She's not so sure.

Hang on tight it only gets worse !!:rotf::rotf:

You can play Catch and Release. Alot of the fun is in the hunt and capture. And they dont care if you dump them. Beware, however, your condition may spread to include LC Smith or anything that says London on the barrels.

First double was an over under Winchester 101 20g, next came LC smith 12 field grade, then I found my true love, Parker Bro's doubles. I'm sure there's a fox out there with my name on it too. Catch and release is a great concept, except of course for the remorse you'll inevitably feel when you let that "perfect" parker go in an attempt to procure another, and another... I am a willing participant in this awful affliction!

Well, OK, if it is a DH then it is not a hammer gun.

Mom used to give Dad grief about new guns. She made some comment that Dad's guns would breed and then have more guns. He does not have that many either.

I think I have seen a couple of those :shock:

Yep, I screwed that up. A D grade hammergun. I also added the SN on my original post. Pics to come in a week or two.

Nice find. They are hard to come by.

Dean, Guess we have another convert Parker hammer guns are a thing of beauty, wish I had bought those that I passed up years ago, They were priced right I just did not have interest in hammer guns then. Missed out on some great deals on high grade guns too!

It seems once you get one, it is not long before you have a bunch.

I started out with one LC Smith 12 gauge 15 years ago, I am now up to 107 most doubles and rifles, guess they did breed no birth control for me.

Ron Moore

There's no easy way to say this but to just come out and say it so here goes.......Your Screwed, it's terminal as it never gets better. Just waite untill you discover the small bore guns then watch the money fly out of the accounts. It's an addiction albet an enjoyable one but an addiction non the less:)

Think about the poor SOB who is about 32 years old right now, has no money problems, loves double guns, and lives to be about 105. How many guns do you think he will have when he gives it up? Actually, he may have "All of them".

You can say that again... and again... and again... :shock:

Are there any lage bore parkers that could pull double duty as a retirement home? I'm sure I could make it work. My wife on the other hand...

Oh yes, they are out there and the fun is in finding them and then continuing to search flea markets, local auctions, attics, barns and chicken coops for more.

Turns out the Parker I bought was misrepresented. The listing said it was a D grade, however it is in fact, a g grade hammer gun. Upon close scrutiny of distant photos provided by the auction house, i noted the absence of a spear point at the head of the stock. It should be noted that you could hardly see any markings in their photos. I was going solely on the auction house's description (anyone see a lesson forming here). So here is what happened. I called the auction house, they confirmed that it was a G grade and not a D grade gun. The owner promptly gave me the option to proceed with the transaction or to back away. I asked if he could send some detailed photos of the gun so I could verify its value and make an informed decision. I am waiting on a response.
So now you can see my quandry. I've bid a total of $1050 plus shipping and insurance. I'm unsure as to the type of bbls on the g grade. Twist will probably be a deal breaker for me, but if the bbls are regular damascus, should I keep the gun? The bbls do have a few dents. I've been told they are not serious and should be easily repaired. I understand that there are many varriables involved, but the real issue for me now is would I screw myself by accepting a gun that I would have put way too much money into. Looking into the lusty eyes of a parker gun is a bittersweet thing, when poor decisions put her in your hands.

More on this crime of passion as events unfold.

Tell us how to access the listing and we will tell you whether you should keep it or not. A Grade 2 will have Damascus barrels. I remember a gunbroker gun that was a 2 and advertised as a 3. Tell us the item number and we'll look at it for you.

The "owner" should have also given you a value consideration based on the actual grade of the gun and the misrepresentation by the grade listed by the auction house (or perhaps the "owner").

http://www.auctionzip.com/aflive.htm...ref=127B13E647

See if this link will get you there. These bbls are damascus, just not sure if they are twist dam or other.

I agree Dean, though their policy does not seem to allow this. The option for me is either to take it at the original hammer price of $1058 or walk away. In their defense, this was a HUGE auction and i'm sure that this gun was hastily graded and put away to make room for the next gun. Still, gotta get things like this right if your in the biz. Hopefully I will be able to post the close ups if the owner can get some to me. I image they're pretty busy after this auction.

I'll get more info to everyone as soon as it's available. In the mean time check out the link I posted to the Parker "D" Grade hammergun. The pics are very poor, but when you see the wood, you'll know why I was temporarily blinded by parkeritis; or would this be a case of Occular Parkeropathy?

"In their defense"...?

If they had any doubt as to the grade of the gun they could have walked across the parking lot to the James D. Julia auction house for verification as to the grade of the gun.

In the gun's defense... it is made on a 1-Frame and is desirable as such. It appears, in the not-so-good photos, to be in pretty nice, possibly cleaned-up, condition and if the dents are not severe and are repairable, might be well worth the price.

The rep from Poulin's said that they had done just that. The person he uses to grade the gun had originally called it a D grade gun. I'm thinking that either this person had looked at one too many guns that day, or he was only used to grade the more expensive small bores and collectors pieces? Regardless, you're right; she's a "looks good from afar". Now I have to discover if she's "far from good". Also Dean, that 1 frame was the whole reason im in this mess! Well, that and the fact that i'm an unabashed addict.

I will repeat what I said in an earlier post. A Grade 2 gun will have Damascus barrels, not Twist Steel barrels. The price doesn't sound bad if the gun is nice. Obviously, the other bidders knew it was a Grade 2 gun and you should have also. Next time you will know. Ask for a concession on total payment. If they refuse, chalk it up to your lack of experience.

Another tip-off that this is a D2 grade the description of the engraving featuring birds. The auction house must of necessity use more than one person to grade this many guns. If their description is wrong as it is in this case they do not hold you to the contract. Poulins are good people. They also have an obligation to the consignor.
Look closely before you bid no one can assume your responsibility to verify for yourself.
Actually Gs described as Ds is not uncommon. I think it stems from the D on the barrel flats of most parkers having Damascus.
My notes indicate that this gun is "slightly loose." I don't remember if this is with the fore end on or off.

PS Inaccurate descriptions can be both bad or good if you are observant. Ex. One gun was described as having cut barrels but they looked righteous and are.
Erick

Hard to tell from the photos. The gun looks like it might be worth the money.

Here's a freebie, the order book states it's a Grade 2 with 30" Damascus barrels however the book doesn't say what the chokes were and the stock book is missing. I doubt that the gun was cyl & cyl when it left the factory or it would have been specified in the order book. Most of those guns were full and full unless specified.

Erick, if you've already handled this gun and it was "slightly loose" i'm assuming that it will be best for me to move on. I'll probably do just that unless you can convince me otherwise. I'm bad for taking in strays, this one may just have to find another home.

Dean,
I wouldn't attempt to convince you one way or the other. Ask Poulin if there is any looseness either with the fore end on or off. I just can't remember all that well. This lot and the next both looked interesting mostly because I don't own a top lever hammer gun. Hopefully you can get some close-up photos sent to you and listen to your heart or ...

Dean, The gun looks like it has sculptured bolsters, sure sign of a early grade 2, Gary

Ok, so here is a quote from the nice gentleman at the auction house. He has sent me pics, and has inspected the gun for movement. Here is a bit of his report... "Nice overall appearance. Action is very tight with forearm, with a slight wiggle without forearm".

A slight wiggle without forearm... I'm no gunsmith, but this sounds like the gun may be off face. Is this a plausible assumption? I'd love to hear what you guys think. Photos are forthcoming!!

http://parkerguns.org/forums/picture...pictureid=5385

http://parkerguns.org/forums/picture...pictureid=5382

http://parkerguns.org/forums/picture...pictureid=5384

http://parkerguns.org/forums/picture...pictureid=5383

And now for the reason I'm in this mess...

http://parkerguns.org/forums/picture...pictureid=5386

In my own opinion a "slight wiggle without forearm" is not really a concern as long as it is tight with no wiggle with forearm in place. Having this "slight wiggle" is not considered to be an indication that a Parker is "off face".

Ok, So there are the pics I've been sent so far. I've requested pics of the barrels, dents, flats and watertable. Hopefully we will get our eyes full. She looks great but i'm worried about the wiggle.

Dean, the gentleman said that the gun was tight with fore-end on. Aside from that, I'm pretty happy so far.

I'd like to get ideas on value if anyone cares to ballpark it. I'm not looking for quotes, just want to know if it is safe to go ahead with the sale. My total investment will be $1055 plus shipping from ME to VA. I'd love to hear any input you guys would like to share.

By the way, it should be noted that the auction house has been nothing but helpful during this whole deal. I would not hesitate to utilize them in the future.

D.F.

The value of a lower grade Parker is generally determined by the price someone will pay for it. In your case, I think you are getting a good value for your dollar.

One comment, the wood on the stock looks great which is often not the case for Parker hammer guns. At least in my experience. That should be a plus in weighing your decision

I just took a look at your pictures.... Nice Gun!!!

The checkering may have been recut but that's not an issue. If it was recut it is a very nice job.

I think she's a real keeper!!