Parker 20 ga DHE
 

This gun is for sale with a well known dealer: stevebarnettfineguns.com/parker-2-shotguns-for-sale/parker-dhe-20-gauge-2.

A careful examination of the photos reveals that somebody decided to burglar proof it by engraving their initials on the rear trigger bow with one of those electric pens.

Any idea what a refinish or restoration of the trigger guard might run? Also, any thoughts on who did the refinish and it's quality? If prefer straight grips but realize the challenges there and this gun is relatively straight stocked.

Thank you for any help or advice.

It is a pretty easy fix.

Which of Steve's DHE 20s are you referring to? He never pictures his Parker trigger guards, but we could see the rest of the gun. By the way, where do you live? That could help us to recommend an engraver.

Here is the link on GI: http://www.gunsinternational.com/gun...n_id=101688172.

The 11th photo shows the self "engraving."

Thanks!

OK, we see it. You don't need an engraver, just a good refinisher, like Brian Dudley.

Thank you for the advice! Does anyone have an opinion as to whether the refinish was by Del Grego? Seller doesn't know. Any general comments on condition or the price? If you do, and would rather PM me that's would be great. All replies will be kept confidential as I know this can be a sensitive subject.

As far as refinishing of the guard goes I think I'd have to send it off. I live in San Antonio and I don't think there's that many (if any) specialists here.

Odd that there is no actual text describing the gun.

The refinish is nice overall. Odd that a Remington Parker would have the drop points of a Meriden Parker and it was obviously restocked by a good stocker but not one keyed-in to the subtle differences. We don't even know the serial number of the gun.

I would think DelGrego or Turnbull but we may never know. DelGrego put a lot of checkered butts on restocks they did.

IMO the price is in the higher limit of "fairly priced,"

I would recommend you get a research letter before you commit.





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I am not an expert by any means, but I just spent three years looking for a gun configured this way and learned a thing or two along the way. If the case coloring was redone, and I suspect it was, it does not look like DelGrego's process to me.

I agree with Dean: while it is a very nice gun overall, it is priced at the high end of fair value.

That’s a great looking gun. Metal does not appear to be DelGregos work imho. $10,000.00 is a lot of money to pay out for that gun. I’d you’re looking for a shooter you can spend half as much. If you’re looking for a collectible I don’t think this is the one. But, if you can’t live without it, well that’s a different story.

Looks a good bit too much on the upper end... JMHO

If ya like it and want it I would call them and see if the price is negotiable.... what have you got to lose..... also JMHO

A ten grand DHE 20, especially when refinished, should have a skeleton butt. Personally, I have never met a DHE 20 with short barrels, worth ten grand.

I agree with the price being a little high. Were I going to spend ten large I'd personally go for this one because I love 16's on that frame size.

https://www.gunsinternational.com/gu...n_id=101727400

I must be very green still because I miss subtleties others catch and photos do one of two things: make guns look better than they are, or you're surprised when a mediocre looking gun arrives in better condition than anticipated. I'm never sure where we stand as far as inquiring about price on listed guns. I've seen comments to the effect, "There are dealers I wouldn't buy from..." but I haven't learned which ones yet! Guess I need to keep buying...

Thanks to all who have commented. I do appreciate it. I'm not in a rush and a lot of guns on GI have been "New Today" a number of times! At 69, I wish I could be at least "as new" today!

Thanks again!

Wow, check out the "dux" on the floorplate of that 16 gauge. I don't know if I've seen that before.

A lot to look at for sure there Bill. Would we say original if skeleton butt was replaced with a rubber pad? Looks like Parker Brothers barrels and checkering. Nice gun for sure.

After noticing the "dux", I never bothered to notice the stock or pad.

Yes great engraving on that 16ga . Really love the ducks , that actually look like ducks . Quite heavy for an "O" frame

Still way over priced imo .

Young Robert Runge was a great engraver and could be pretty innovative from time to time.
We begin to see his particular talent and style begin to emerge just a few years before the death of Anschutz in ‘30 or ‘31.




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I have sent for the letter. Steve, as most know, died last year, and his step-son is running the business. Steve was never accused of pricing things too low, and most of the stuff is on consignment.

If I make an offer, although too low in the opinion of the dealer, he has a duty to pass that offer on to his consignor. I have dealt with George Caswell for years, primarily as a seller, and he always passes on offers for me to accept or reject.

I have often wondered about the psychology of people holding out for their price while the stock market goes through the roof. I have sold many expensive guns over the years, and made up most losses by investing the money in the market. To wait years for a certain price while the market rises around you is something I've never understood.

That is a very interesting observation, and frankly, something I had never considered.
From a pure financial position, it makes a lot of sense.
That said, when it comes to gun collecting, (especially re: Parkers) I think, a lot of sense goes out the window.
Don't ask me how I know :whistle:

Is a gun with Parker on the bottom always a Remington gun and did Mr. Runge work with Remington until moving to DelGrego? That is a really nice D and the more interest rises for the 16's it is more appealing. Mr. Barnett always seemed like a class guy, maybe a strong price but usually nice guns.

The AAHE and A1S guns had Parker Bros on the bottom of the frame, often in gold inlay but any Parker with PARKER on the bottom of the frame was made under Remington ownership, unless it was an upgrade.





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After reading the post about the 20 ga. DHE for sale in MI for $25K, I realized I forgot to post a note regarding the Parker research letter I received about this gun. It is a Remington gun made in 1937 with 28 inch barrels, but no mention of stock dimensions. chokes or butt treatment. It was ordered by and sent to VL & A. I then ordered a VL & A copy of a 1937 catalog which advertised the gun, but with a skeleton butt plate. A listing for a VHE skeet gun does provide for a plain checkered butt, like this gun.

Thus armed with the facts, I sent a written offer of $7500 to SBFG. Several days later, I received a flat rejection with no counter-offer! Well, at least the research was fun!

Thanks to Mr. Bishop for the fast turnaround on the letter.

Here is one the seller thinks is worth 1 1/2 times that much --

https://www.gunsinternational.com/gu...n_id=101759860

I personally think, with my admittedly limited experience with DHE Parkers, that it is very overpriced. I bought a two gauge set DHE (16 and 20), both gauges with 32" barrels, original chokes, original wood, and original condition except for freshened bluing and stock finishes, in a fine LOM case, 2 years ago for substantially less money. And, from a seller who was not "in the dark" about it's value, either.

I don't know what extra value the market places on 32" small bores above 28" ones at the present, but I think it's considerable. I'd put that gun at not a $ more 6500, right now. Buying or selling.

Steve's business model served him well for many years, and the family continues it. I've got no problem with that. At least they're consistent. But, there's lots of fish in the sea.