Blue book on Parkers
 

I took a look at my digital copy of the Blue Book of gun values and was surprised with what they have listed as values.
I was most interested on the DH small bores.
Note: they say to add 25 to 30% on top of this for jectors. Also other options increase the value.
Your thoughts are appreciated.

Personally I don’t think you can rely on the blue book. I don’t think it accurately represents market value.

I agree with Reggie. There are so many factors deciding value in these old shotguns that it would be impossible to cover all the things that decide that value. It works for pre64 Mod70's, A5 Brownings or Mod 12 Winchesters. Looking for a Remington 1100? You can find that value there. Just my opinion.

Phil, I've heard this a couple years ago from our friend Dave M. He told me add 1/3 the total value for ejectors. He said the value on small bore would be strong, even the 12 bore graded would continue to be good. Of course other extras like single trigger, longer barrels would also bring an extra percentage to the value.

Chris, AZ

I agree Reggie.

I've found the what the Blue Book predicts best is what someone who does not know guns well will ask for a gun after grading it much higher than it is.

Phil,
I think it is a very good representation of values for these guns. What is missing is the users ability to accurately grade the condition of the gun.

PML

Who establishes Blue Book values? How?

We may not know who writes the Parker section of the Blue Book, but I will bet it is one of us or at least someone we know. The most misunderstood part of the condition percentages is that they are directly related to case color. Read the fine print.

So they are assuming that a gun with high case coloring remaining is in otherwise good repair? It’s not the worst assumption in my humble opinion, but It’s definitely not a tell all. Thanks for shedding light on that for me.

I am a contributing editor for the Parker section. The prices listed are for purely factory original guns and the percentages relate to the amount of original case color remaining. It is critical to read the prologue to the Parker section for the pricing to be in any way accurate or relative.

In the end the selling price for anything is what a particular buyer is willing to pay.

Thanks for your thoughts guys. I clearly understand that condition, originality, and rare or desirable guns are what drives prices.
I can usually figure out what a fair price is on most guns but It’s two very high condition and very desirable Parkers I am have trouble with.
I think a call to Josh might help me out.

Josh, my friend, thank you for helping me to clarify the case color relationship to condition percentage. As I said before, read the fine print on the Parker section of the Blue Book.

IMO:
The best use for the blue book pricing is for establishing a ball park evaluation for insurance purposes.

Other than that, it can be way off current market pricing. Especially in the world we've lived in lately.

The market for Parkers, just like that for oil, gold, real estate, cars, etc, changes daily. It's all about supply and demand. In the last 18 months, demand has picked up dramatically and there are a lot of newer buyers who want quality American doubles.

Parker Values … Blue Book
 

FYI.. I am also a contributor of the Parker Section on values. As relayed by Josh
several factors are considered when establishing values. Originality, condition, case color, rarity, gauge, supply and demand, etc. Values established are for ALL original guns that have not been restored in any fashion partially or completely. They are becoming more difficult to find and bring a premium accordingly. In some instances the values for 20’s, 28’s and .410’s are below going sales prices. Twelves are somewhat sluggish in the market place at this time unless they are all original high condition and may possibly represent some “Best Buys”! 😊