1875 hammer side by side
 

Took this to Cabelas and the "boss" In the gun library told me "old parker guns aren't worth any money" I was less then impressed with their customer service and far less impressed with their knowledge.
12ga
Pat'd Nov 13 1866
"Mar23 1875
Ser# 13553
Barrel plain twist (30")
Grade XU
overall length 46 1/2"

by the serial number your lifter was made in 1878 - the 1875 is the patent date of the last improvement.

she looks like a 12 ga little sister to the 10 I just bought as a restoration project. If they aren't worth any money - I over paid.

the U is one of the letter codes used in early 0 grades. this one (like mine) may still letter as a dollar grade in spite of the the letter code.

looks like some of the metal has been scrubbed clean.

maybe - in its current shape, its not worth a lot, but if the bores are decent, it is a nice honest gun for its age.

Hi Doc,

I see that you live in Michigan. There are a bunch of PGCA members and collectors and shooters of other vintage Sides by Sides in Michigan. If you'd like to get involved in shooting your Parker please contact me or others. You may of course us the Private Message (PM) function of this forum to keep your contact information private if you desire.

Mark

This seems kind of strange. Every time I look on cabalas web site the mich. store has several parkers (both hammer ansd hammerless) for sale.

The Worlds Formost Outfitter AKA Cabelas has lost more good knowledgeable people than they hire. Just like the guns they represent knowledge is a finite resource.

It sounds to me that particular gun room employee should not be holding that position. Anyone who knows anything about American sporting guns knows that Parkers are one of the most collectible makers.
Might give that gun room position to someone who better deserves it.

Also a good idea not to take vintage guns to big box retailers.

Brian;


I agree completely, but the problem is the general lack of knowledge on old guns anymore, it should be a requirement that the staff have some minimal knowledge of collectables, but the department hours need to be covered, and doubles are just old to many people, you can't even get a black stock for one. :rolleyes:

that Sauer I posted in Harold's 16 gauge thread was traded in at a box store, the young man had inherited it and wanted to trade it for an 11-87 Remington. The guy behind the counter pulled out the bluebook and looked at the early West German Sauers and offered the kid very little for it. I stuck my nose in and said that was not what that gun was. He said he knew what he was doing, the kid was happy with a down payment on the auto. I told the clerk to put a price on it, he gave it their normal mark up, and I bought it on the spot.

every one ( most especially me) was happy with the deal, what more can you want.

I was in the store when a young man came in with two 1930s model 12 16ga. guns the guy at the counter offered 100.00 for both. how do some people sleep at night

Funny the Parkers they are selling are bringing top dollar....

All they do is look at a computer screen to see what has been purchased and at what cost.

I had a young man come into the Library with a NEW Purdy that he said was his Grandfathers and he wasn't a hunter and needed money for college. The gun didn't have the makers case and it was a 12ga with 26 inch bbls. I knew what it was worth, called the big man (who works at an auction house now) and he told me to offer 15K on the spot as the gun didn't have the case and 26 inch bbls were a detrement. The kid took the check I packed the Purdy up and sent it to another store per instructions and it was sold for $50K if memory serves. I knew right then and there I was in the wrong place.

When you pay minimum wages, you get minimum performance due to minimum education.
I just read recently where Mallwart has 100% employee annual turnover. I see some people at the local WM that have been there for some time, but not many.

But that was an employee in the Gun Library room, right? Isn't that the area that is specifically for older and higher value guns?
It wasn't the general counter where the mossbergs are kept.

Not everyone can be an expert on everything, but... Basics of the American gun trade here and collectibility.

Maybe he meant since that one had hammers and a Damascus barrel, that it wasn't worth anything... I am being sarcastic of course.

Brian all used guns regardless of value go through the Gun Library. Either the manager or assistant mgr determine the value from a Purdy to a Mossberg.

if i remember anything abou gun trading you are to try and buy as cheap as possible and sell it for as much as you can get for it...there are exceptions such as this purdy double and others...would not want to steal a gun from some one... charlie