Parker Brother Value
 

Hello looking for some info on a parker double barrel 12ga , VH grade in excellent condition. I looked up the serial number it was manufactured in 1919.Not looking to sell it i'll pass it on to my grandkids.looking for a ballpark value. its chambered 3inch. the bores and barrels are shiny with no pit.Stock and butt plate,an barrel are all original.The blueing is in wonderful condition. Gun is tight all wood in excellent condition .it been in a gun cabinet that I no for the last 55years.i appreciate your time,thanks

Cant even start to advise without pictures.

How long are the barrels and what do the chambers measure? If they were chambered from the factory for three-inch shells it is more likely they are 2 7/8". If they actually measure 3" I would suspect they may have been lengthened aftermarket.





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Thanks for the help dean the barrels are 28 inches on the bottom of the barrel it stamped 3 " that's where I came up with 3 inches . Thanks for your help

Parker didn't normally stamp the chamber length, so I would guess you may be reading something else.

Can you post pictures of the gun, including one of the stamps on the barrel flats?





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I'll try to do that tonight thanks Dean

Does the 3 have another number offset from it?

If so. That is the barrel weight

Steve sent me photos of his VH.

Attachment 54602

Attachment 54603

Attachment 54604

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Attachment 54609

Attachment 54610

Attachment 54611

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It truly is in very good condition as he describes. We all know that we have to be hesitant to take someones word for it since condition is subjective. That is why pictures will usually tell the true story.

In my opinion, I see a all original gun that could be considered in the 90% range by way of condition.

I would tell steve that a good insurance value on the gun may be $4,000. The market may not be that high for a sale, but I would like to see this gun sell for at least $3,000 - $3,500. My thoughts.

That is a very nice VH on 1 1/2 frame!

All you guys are top shelf with wealth of knowledge and I thank you for your Time and input thanks again Steve

Steve,With the very high condition of your gun,I would say that a $4000 selling price is very possible.I would insure it for a minimum of $4500.Lower grade guns like the VH are very hard to find in collectible condition because so many of them saw hard use.

Just my opinion but I don't believe they are original case colors. Still it's a very nice VH.

I tend to agree with Chuck. Still nice though.

Heh, heh.

The only thing I can tell you about the case Color is that they weren't touched in the last 55 years . I really appreciate your info , i'm new at this

Photos can be deceptive with case colors.They look fine to me.Take a look at the hinge pin. It still has the correct sheen and look of an original finish.When many guns are recolored, the hinge pin loses that sheen and tends to look flat or matte finish.It is hard to explain,but it something I always look at in a gun with lots of color and it has served me well over the years.

The gun needs Bruce's yellow towel for background.

:shock: really?





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A super nice VH. The 3 11 that is stamped there on the right barrel flat represents the weight of the barrels prior to striking - 3 lbs., 11 ounces.





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Twenty five years ago, everyone wanted short barrels, and the tide has come back in now on long barreled guns. A 1 1/2 frame 30" 12ga. is the ticket for Rooster and sporting clays (I'm guess it's 30" based on the 3lbs 11 unstruck weight)
I think Brian is right on the money with his valuation.

Yup, looks like a $4000 gun to me, but a closeup examination might change that.

Another point that makes me think the colors are original is that Steve said he knows where the gun has been for the last 55 years.55 years ago and before,there was no one that could duplicate early Parker colors.DeGrego and Remington were doing case colors, but with a different process that gave a completely different color effect.There are people now who can come close to duplicating Parker colors,but not 55 years ago or earlier.

One more thing I should've added the gun hasn't been fired for about 58 years maybe longer , don't know if that's good or bad ,

It needs some exercise.

Remington / Delgrego was case coloring at that time, no AND in there. One in the same.

And that is right John, given the known history and the lack of people to accurately replicate colors at the time, the only conclusion is that they are completely original.

Your observation about the hinge pin on re-colored guns is likely a result of the hinge pin not being removed and polished during prep.

So would we say the Butt plate has been off since the screws arnt timed if so why Or wasn't that a big deal on lower grade ? Just asking for my education . A gun in that condition why remove the DHBP ? Also no color on the forend iron or release and tip has me wondering

Brian,Would you agree that reworking the hinge pin was a step that many early restorers missed?Even after a pin has been polished and recolored they just don't have that "right" look.

I would have to look under that butt plate to see what is there. I found a 1918 SC hunting lieson under a 1917 butt plate.

A buttplate can be removed for many reasons. How many of us find hunting licenses or peoples addresses under a buttplate. Likely the plate was removed for one reason or another and the screws were just flip flopped between the two holes. And yes, even on the lowest grades, the screws would be timed and finished flush to the plate.
The only observation i had was that the buttstock COULD have had some finish added to it at one time or something. The darker spots in the wood look odd to me.
The color on the forend latch is one of the first things to go on a gun that has had any real use. And, the color on the bottom of the frame does have some wear as well.

Thanks for the info everybody . I just remove the bottom plate never thought I would do that but there's a name It's hard to make out but it looks like Lou . I snapped a photo of it later on I'll try to add it . Thanks again