$200 Dollar Grade
 

Here is the stock carving on a few of the $200 grade guns, see the PF 2011 thread for similar on a $135 grade. Some have not seen these features before. If its old stuff to the experts, let me know and I'll delete the thread.

Might be interesting to a few people.

Wow! Absolutlely beautiful.

Here are some pics of my 135-150 grade gun..

An important gun with significant possibilities.

Bruce,

This is a treat. I don't recall seeing Parkers like these before.

Harry

Nice Bruce..

There is a $200 grade lifter with the bullseye stock pictured in TPS. I had been aware of that gun. A few years ago, CH and I drove in a hurry to Puglisi's where two such guns, both 10ga's were available, along with some other interesting guns. We returned south with a some and one of the bullseye lifters . Jack said and we called several others to confirm, that there was something between 10-12 guns known with this feature, all $200 grades, and the bullseye was a feature of some but not all of the $200 grade guns. Other advanced collectors ( not putting me in that category) have said the same.

So, when I saw the bullseye carving on Ross's $135 grade gun, it was even more interesting because I think it expands the knowledge base about these early guns. We called Austin from Omaha, and he believes that during those early years, features as grade identifiers were somewhat unsettled, so you might see things that are odd.

Anyway, I think it is attractive, and is another example of the craftsmanship that Parker put into its guns.

On another matter, and I'm sure I'll say something controversial here, we were talking about value. A person can find lots of V grade 12's for around $2000, some under some over, some need a little TLC, some pretty nice as is. When you start looking at comparable quality in guns being made today, even some from well regarded makers, you have to move into retail prices of upwards of $ 10,000. When you start looking at quality of gun, even these lower grade Parkers are bargains and undervalued. Naturally everyone wants to pay less, but I'm trying to put some perspective on it.

I suspect we haven't seen the last of Parkers being made, but to make a new one today, say a G or D grade 20ga, if you go by Galazan 21 or Fox prices, you are going to be paying $17,000 or more.

Amen

As a stockmaker for these old guns, THAT is some work I can really appreciate! Jerry

Bruce,

I don't know who noted that "Of all the things I have lost I miss my mind the most". Sure seems to fit me though.

Harry

Amen x2

I'm sure I have told the story about being at a local auction and bidding about $1500 to win a high condition VH and also winning a standing ovation from the bidding audience. This was a time when a good VH could still be bought for $350. I would not sell that great gun today for $5000.

Bill: Do you still have the C Grade Hammergun with the Bernard barrels that is pictured in "Shooting Flying" ? That is one great looking Parker.

Best regards, George

Bruce, I don't find anything especially controversial in what you've posted here.

Thanks for the great pics.

Thanks for the pics Bruce.

Mike

Yup, George, I still have it. I will tell The Lovely Linda that you are interested in it. It has been displayed at the Gold Medal Councours and won a PGCA award. As you probably know, it is heavily documented to a Parker shooter and is in about unused condition. It is a nice #4 frame 11 pounder with factory 33" barrels and original skeleton butt. I would like to hear from other owners of 33" barrel ten gauge hammer guns. It may be displayed in a yet untitled display at the Baltimore Show next month. Kevin McCormack keeps his Parker display themes secret until the show.

Thanks Bill: And please tell The Lovely Linda to keep me in mind, but don't you go off anywhere anytime soon. I can wait. IT IS ONE GORGEOUS GUN!

Best Regards, George

bill how long has it been since you could buy a vh parker for 350.00....i bet my hair had some color in it still this gray that i have but me and them old parkers have about the same amount of gray.....tell us more about thix 33 inch barrel gun.... charlie

Well Dean, here it is. If Bill were to sell that V for $5000, he might believe that he asked and got a fair price for it, but there would be those here who would castigate the buyer for Oh My God, paying $5000 for a V grade. My point and opinion is that it is still a bargain and undervalued when you look at comparable guns. Of course I want to pay market prices, but there are those of us who believe the market undervalues these guns.

I believe I can be counted among them Bruce. Consider the prices paid for Winchesters, Marlins, Henrys, Colts and such - fine guns of the same era and made with equal attention to detail as our Parkers with elaborate engraving and wonderfully executed checkering, fabulous color case hardening, beautifully contrasted Damascus barrels... comparable in every detail but falling dreadfully short of the prices commanded by those other names...
But who among us can account for "missing the boat"? Someday that ship may come in...

Just in case anyone forgets how a badly fractured stock can be repaired, here are a couple before and after pictures of a 20ga D top lever hammer.

Is that DT's work?

I must agree with estamated cost and value. If Galazan would make a DHE grade Parker with all the quality features and no cost cutting....Im sure they would start close 20K Well out of the reach of most sain folks! Even if I did buy one, would I use it like I use my Parker repro's...Not....Gotta love them guns from Tom Skues...still see them startin about 3500.00 (-: JUST GOT NOTIFIED AMMO WILL BE GOING UP RAPIDLY IN 2011.....First of march will be 10-15 % increase all brands just to start! China is to blame....we have built there economy buying there junk...now we have a metals shortage....I hate free trade agreements and back door deals! Better get your AA 28 gauge shells now!, $$$ 16-18.00 in the summer....Plus the sales tax!!!! Paid 32.50 wholesale a bag for hard lead shot and going up....HHHMMMM, In England....only weathy folks have and shoot guns for fun and sport !!!!!!!!! Thanks all SXS ohio...(-:

It's probably because all the guns Dean mentioned are guns of the taming of the west and a lot of people find the old west neet. Parkers wern't used in the wild west. Winchester and colt will always be king. ch

Stock Repair
 

Bruce, Who repaired that stock. Thanks, Tom

David Trevallion

What about those stagecoach guns??

Kenny,

That's not true about folks in England. I've been over there shooting quite a bit and all my friends are just regular folks. A greens keeper (lawn care), a coach builder (autobody mechanic), a pipefitter (plumber), a security guard, a couple of goose guides, a gunsmith, and the list goes on. Plenty of regular folks have guns and shoot, that's including driven game like pheasants and woodcock.


Destry

Thanks for identifying David for us, bruce
 

-- The most interesting chapter, IMO anyway, in the late McIntosh book Shotguns and Shooting was his detailed chapter about seeing David make a new stock for his Wilkes sidelock 12 bore. This is the "piece de resistance"- flawless workmanship, and worth every penny paid to restore that fine hammer Parker--All those years as an apprentice with Purdey have paid off- that is absolutely stunning.

Don't get me wrong Parker's my pick of the above companys! That wrist is amazing work.

I know I sure appreciate what goes into work like that. Absolutely top shelf, 1st rate work anywhere compared to anything. Jerry Andrews

Fotos like that- before and after- Wunderbar!!
 

I've seen your stock work first hand Jerry, and you don't have to take a back seat to anyone either. I have no idea how old Mr. Trevallion is, say a recent foto of him and the late Mike Mcintosh together, they became good friends indeed--Mike also commented that the stockmaker is really the artisan that makes a bespoke gun shoot where its owner looks. Barrels, chokes, actions, trigger pulls, timed ejectors are all a factor too.

I always liked what the late "Cactus Jack" O'Connor said- something like "I'd rather have a stock of fine walnut checkered and oil finished and plain blued steel, than exaborate engraving- Taste is all personal, one man's Monet is another man's Manet I suppose- but a fine job of stock fitting, especially a sidelock- that is the "eye candy" for me!!:bigbye: