Parker AHE, #151923 Need help/advice
 

So I have ordered the letter on this gun, and I am in negotiations to purchase.



https://www.greentophuntfish.com/rar...2-cond-vg.html


What would you focus on ?

By the looks of the pictures, probably Ducks

Begging/borrowing/stealing the money to pay for it!

How about condition, etc. Yes it is a #2 frame 30"

Hard to tell from the pictures but the dolls head appears to sit low and not flush with the action. I am pretty sure the barrels were reblued. Very nice engraving it appears the double dogs are done in semi relief. The serialization book calls out D6 so the barrels must be a replacement. Your letter may shed some light but with the dolls head sitting low I would suspect it is not factory work Craig

The blueing looks like it was done at Ilion. Maybe the barrels were replaced by Remington.

I would sure like to see more pictures before commiting to it... or make sure you get a three-day, no questions asked, return option.

Nice looking gun in any case.





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Thanks for the insight Craig, Steve Barnett has a similar AHE for sale that has been refinished for quite a bit less. I am intrigues by the above gun as it is at my local shop, but I want to make sure that I am making a sound decision.

Here is the Barnett offering: https://stevebarnettfineguns.com/par...che-12-gauge-1

They are allowing me to get the letter prior to closing the transaction. I have dealt with this shop for over twenty years, so they are happy to work with me on this.

See if the letter mentions the pad vs skeleton butt.

That one st Steve’s has been very poorly re-engraved. There’s no saving that without a big expense.





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The D6 May be a mistake. Acme barrels were the standard fluid steel barrels for a grade 6 by then.





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One thing for sure is... YOU save $16,000! What a deal!!!

Anyway... based on the photos and description, the gun appears to be straight and honest. Nothing jumps out to me of a major concern. Short of in person inspection, not much se can be added to that.

I have looked at that gun casually , friend of mine may have looked in detail. Will ask him to comment.

Willam

Thanks William, what were your impressions?

I was out there couple days ago with my son who urged me to buy it. Ha ha. I’ve probably handled it half a dozen times. It was part of a collection Greentop bought earlier this year. The A-grade was with several other Parkers that had been redone, albeit nicely. Several of those guns remain unsold. IF work has been done to the AHE it was done very professionally. But let’s face it, most of the high condition Parker’s out there have had work done. It’s an AHE but the engraving is nothing to write home about. My 1915 DHE has engraving just as deep, but without the coverage as the A. I have not measured chokes etc. Great gun if you can get them off the $20k price tag. Good luck.

Brian saw that too. Looks like the add is right of eBay.

They are a solid shop. I guess it gets down to the barrel and what the letter will support. I will post when I get it

I would be VERY careful with this gun - for an asking price of just south of $20K, a gun-in-hand inspection is MANDATORY - opinions on the authenticity of photos and opinions of same are a dime a dozen - I would definitely seek the evaluation(s) of those you can reach nearby that have dealt with guns of this configuration, condition, and authenticity before! There are not many of these and confirmation of originality it crucial to your purchase. Take your time and demand authentication. The vast majority of worthy, collectible high-grade Parker Guns have not been 'messed with'.

Also neglected to mention that no matter how reputable the shop may be, they likely have no clue as to how to examine and evaluate the compromising factors that may confound the originality of this gun relative to collector desirability - in many/most cases not their fault - they are dealers, pure and simple.

I only gave it a quick look, Ed looked more carefully, I trust his opinion. Green top is a good outfit, no doubt they would allow carefull on site inspection . That grade that price best have it looked over thoroughly.

William

Here are a few more pictures
 

The front barrel lug has a B above the frame size.

Inspector's or worker's mark.





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