Hello from Cincinnati, OH
 

Just joined today 2/15/2022. I like double shotguns and have collected a few. But I'm looking for my first American Parker, preferably a 28 gauge. This gauge I still don't have. I have many books that I have been reading to educate myself. The research is actually kind of the fun part. This PGCA group is part of my research and I hope that it builds friendships and trusted advice. Look forward to seeing everyone on the forums.

Welcome aboard. What kind of grade are you looking for in 28? I would love one myself, but its just not in the budget yet.

Most likely my budget will keep me at the DH level, but will strive for CH. I'm looking for a Parker that I can shoot. I just started a new venture of upland hunting (birds) and am training my Labrador pup (1 year, with another year at least). I have other shotguns of various gauges (12, 20, 16) but would love a 28 for those long hunting days where I will be carrying this piece over long distances. I don't want a "wall hanger", even though some of those are beautiful to look at. I just purchased my only Spanish Best (16 gauge Arrieta), which I also will be able to shoot. My quest is to own a real piece of American made; preferably a Parker.

I’ll say this Craig, A grade 3 or 4 28ga is quite a step for a first Parker! I hope you’ll post pictures when you find it! Good luck!

One of the dealers recently posted a C grade 28 gauge. Better jump on it.

-Victor

I'm an empty nester and therefore have more disposable income than when I did with a bigger family. I've been selling many of my late father's collection, which he liked many hand guns for what I love collecting, which is Shotguns. I am a patient man. I do find the research and search, part of the fun. I did find on Guns International a 'DHE PARKER Reproduction 28GA SIDE BY SIDE "LAYNE SIMPSON'S GUN". Not sure what you boys think about reproduction Winchester Parkers. GI listing #101848968 for $7695. I've asked for more information. But what a sweet gun.

Victor, do you have a reference to where I might find that C grade 28gauge? I'd be interested in taking a look.

Here you go:

https://www.gunsinternational.com/gu...n_id=101705548

You should join the PGCA. It’s only $40 per year. Membership gives you access to the “for sale” sub-forum.

-Victor

The Parker Reproductions are very good guns. Thirty years ago I had a reproduction D grade 28ga two barrel set and loved it, and own a couple of others now. If you don’t “have” to own an original the reproduction will save you about $40,000 or so. Lol.

Victor, I am already a member sir.

Victor, okay that one is Way out of my price range. If you were a taxidermist, I'd be on your wall right now. LOL.

I have a 28 gauge Repro. I love it. I call it my “can’t miss” gun. For whatever reason, I just shoot it very well. The Repros—particularly in 28 gauge—are a great value. If you are patient, you might find one in the $5k to $6k range.

-Victor

Craig, unless you just sent in your membership dues, you are a Forum Associate, not a PGCA Member.

Hi Craig,

There is a member selling a 28 Gauge VH Parker on the members only section of this forum. Check it out. Looks to be a nice one.

Going after your first Parker and setting your sights on it being a D or C 28g. Wow! Be very careful. And prepare to write a large check. Educate yourself on the guns and know what you are buying. You could be setting yourself up to make a very expensive mistake.

Yes, just joined a few days ago and confirmed by John Dunkle. Perhaps he needs to flip it on the system. But I'm paid in full.

Yes sir, that is very sage advice. I am patient, I am learning and will ask the right questions for sure. But, I don't necessarily think that you need to buy a low grade gun and work your way up.

But the 'sting' of making a mistake on a higher grade 28 is sooo painful and it won't go away because you will not recover your losses.





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Welcome aboard Craig from the other side of the river. We are not that far apart apparently. I am in SE Indiana not to far from Lawrenceburg which you probably recognize. What part of Cincy are you from ? WHO DEY !!

Craig, the last DHE 28 I saw sell at auction went for just over $30K including the buyer's premium. It was a beauty. As noted already, small gauge Parkers are very desirable to quite a few folks (and wonderful guns to have and use!). Good luck with your search. Folks here can spot things about originally, etc. in photos that many of us miss. Seek help, and you'll be glad you did.

Welcome!

Randy, I'm from southwest corner of Cincinnati. Green Township (45247). I know you have to use your real first name for this forum, but most folks call me Buck. Yes, I recognize Lawrenceburg. As a kid and teenage, used to go to Friendship and watch all the musket guns and axe/knife throwing activities. Love it.

Ha, small world. My daughter lives in Cheviot in Green Twp. and I actually live about 15 minutes from Friendship. If you like to shoot keep an eye on the forum for the Hoosier SxS Classic posting. It will take place in August in Batesville IN which is just a jog down I74 for you. There are always several PGCA members there. You can search it on the forum to see what it's all about. I can add you to the mailing list if you like for the shoot. Just PM me your email address if you want to be added. Look forward to meeting you some day Sir.

Buck, welcome to the PGCA brotherhood and good luck on finding a graded 28(a GH 28 is a sweet little gun also). You have a very knowledgeable member (Randy) in your back yard. I have never been bitten by the 28 ga bug, but lately, have thought about a 28 repro. I'm a Buckeye also, just live on the wrong side of the Ohio River in Wheeling now.

Welcome Buck. I am going to go out there and say spending the $300-400 on The Parker Story will give you more information than you can digest and it's an invaluable reference if you're looking to spend big money on these guns. Also I would highly recommend the serialization book, the best $35 you will spend.
With two kids in college I'm relegated to "shooters" for the next number of years. I bought a 16g GH which I made a mistake on, the replacement stock and bluing/case coloring are not correct. Hence I'm throwing good money after bad and having Brian Dudley try to make her correct. My mistake is several thousand, not many like a 28g. The dream gun for me is a nicely kept but original 16g DHE as my grouse gun. Some day. Enjoy the forum, the folks are great and the research is half the fun. I'm just starting the second volume of The Parker Story, it's all fascinating. Oh, you will own many more than one, just to prepare you. They're fun as hell to shoot. I find the learning curve very steep to spot originality and correct alterations/modifications but that's half the fun.

Also, I have a 28g Repro, VERY HIGHLY recommend one, they're amazing and everyone wants to handle it.

Yes, I have sent them in. He indicated that they process those on Friday's. So eventually the tag will flip. But my cc definitely has been charged the annual membership, I can vouge for that sir.

Oh yes, another reason for joining as a member. I will post my 'short story' further down the thread as I want to respond to many of the friendly welcome remarks thus far, for which I am grateful.

Hello Andy. I would love to spend the money on the Parker Story vols1/2 for two reasons. First - to educate myself on Parkers, Second - I am a collector of books (e.g. history, guns, and religious). I have already taken steps to begin this process by purchasing the serialization book ($35) that you mentioned. I know I have volumes to read on Parkers, but I've made a good start with read books from Doug Stewart (The Traditional Side by Side), Peter H. Johnson (Parker America's finest Shotgun), and Michael McIntosh (Best Guns). I've also reviewed information in the Blue Book of Gun values. I have more on the way (again, my love of books and of course my love of research) from Larry Baer (The Parker Gun Immortal American Classic), and Michael McIntosh (More Shotguns and Shooting).

My collection and love of Shotguns may be a bit different than most here perhaps. As I don't desire a one make collection, but those that represent an era of time from many manufactures. I have a Marocchi, Franchi, Remington, Ithaca, and more recently an Arrieta. Thus far my favorite are the Spanish Best (Terry Wieland), but that could change as I am an American FIRST and love my country - even with all the bumps and bruises like most countries. So the Parker piece of my collection is my Lord of the Rings Bilbo Baggins "I'm going on an adventure!" scene. Spending this time reading, researching and asking highly astute members of this organization, I hope to find my 28 gauge. I also am trying to vary my gauge acquisitions as well. I love to reload and adding another reloader or adaptable component to the bench would suit me just fine.

As stated in my opening remarks when I joined, I am FINALLY an empty nester. We've raised 4 kids and put them through parochial schools and college (last one is finishing up soon). My disposable income just whacked me in the face and now I have time to enjoy my passion for guns.

My father, who past three years ago, was an avid collector of guns. He didn't hunt, he didn't shoot much competitively, but he was a master mechanical engineer for some 45 years. He was fascinated with the mechanics of guns. Many of hours I spent with him on the bench in the basement as he was fixing many guns that people bought or neglected to care for. When he passed (God rest is soul), I didn't feel right to liquidate his collection for money. I kept a few gems that I will always cherish, but he would of approved of my strategy of selling the guns he enjoyed (mostly handguns) and use that money to invest in my passion, which are shotguns.

For collecting shotguns, I don't want wall hangers, but want to actually enjoy and shoot them. I'd be wary of firing these old early Parkers for safety reasons. I've read many of posts in this forum about cautionary elements of firing these gems. Even though they are deemed 'An old reliable'. I plan on using low pressure and lighter loads (3/4 or 1oz) to fire them, but I do want to shoot them. I love the after care after shooting them as well. Oh the smell of gun oil definitely sets off the testosterone.

I hope to make many friends in here. I'm sorry for the long verbose storyline here, but sometimes understanding the context of where folks are at can help bunches. I want to start out slow; perhaps buy a Repro, then consider others. Thank you so much gentlemen. I look forward to your advice and direction. God Bless

Buck

Buck, do yourself a huge favor and along with buying The Parker Story (two volumes) you should make every effort to buy these two excellent sources of Parker information along with well documented historical facts of that era, by the late Ed Muderlak.


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Welcome to the PGCA Buck. If I can help, just ask.

Dean, thank you for the references. I will surely check them out.

I have a timeline banner that I purchased years ago, mainly about the Church, but on that timeline, it showed all the heads of states, wars/battles, famines, etc. I often looked at that banner when I was reading a book about an historical event so that I could gain a sense of what else was going on in the world during that time. Many times, that presented a high level perspective on perhaps why certain business closed/failed, or why purchases were down as a result of other worldly circumstances. Thanks so much

Buck

Today the Parker Guns Shooting Flying and the American Experience book by Ed Muderlak arrived on a Friday evening. Beautiful book. Looking forward to diving in. The photography is magnificent.

For a green PGCA member, where might I see those 'for sale' opportunities on this forum?

In the Members Only section of the forum.





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