Parker Desirability
 

Have a hankering for another Parker. I was wondering on a non fluid steel gun what is the more desirable Damascus, Laminated, or Twist? Which commands the most money if condition is the same? Also is a top lever gun more or less desirable than a lifter gun if condition and grade are similar? I'm looking at a nice Grade 2 hammer gun with Damascus steel on Gunbroker but I am not sure how much if any premium I should pay over a similar gun with different barrel steel or action type.

You can't go wrong with a good Grade 2 hammer gun, as long as price and condition are right

Damascus is preferred by most but that doesn't mean it is better. Personally, I prefer Bernard Steel over all other Parker composite barrels.

one point for desirability and value (assuming equal condition) is that normally damascus was on higher grades than twist.

i do not know that they are stronger, but i believe they (damascus) took more to make and were thought to be more attractive patterns

although, i have seen some very striking twist barrels

Gregg ,In my eye ,there is nothing prettier on an old Shotgun than a nice set of Damascus Barrels and especially the Bernards as Dean says ,but you must be careful in your purchase ! I have no idea which of the many Parker Damascus Barreled guns you are looking at on GB but this really doesn't matter , which ever gun and seller you choose to purchase any Gun ,but especially the Damascus / Twist etc. make positive you are able to return the Gun upon inspection ! The Primers and Powders used when these type barrels were new were very corrosive ,and tended to pit bores and chambers , which at times if the guns were not cleaned regularly led to deep pitting and caused sellers in todays market to have the bores honed to look new and shiny . My thoughts are this ,always immediately measure barrel wall thickness mainly to make sure the gun is safe to shoot and also to not pay a high price for what appears to be a good solid gun only to find out later the barrels are shot by deep pitting or ruined by honing and you are stuck ! Really none of my business , just a suggestion from experience ! Good luck with your purchase ! Best ; Russ

Russ has given great advice.

Russ, thanks for the advice. The gun I'm looking at is gun broker auction#358829198. It looks to be a very good condition grade 2 hammer gun for its age.The description and the thickness on the end of the barrels seem to show if they were honed they didn't touch the chokes. Though I realize that the chokes are probably the least critical area as far as pressure. If I did my research right I think this is a very early top lever gun. I very much like the snipe or woodcock on the bottom of the receiver. Is a 1 frame the norm on these early 12ga. hammer guns?

That's a pretty nice looking hammer gun Gregg. I have one just like it in 10ga and a 3-frame. The barrel dents can be taken out pretty well but the gun could certainly be shot without removing them. Those bbls would be gorgeous if refinished. From my experience and based on how much corrosion is on the outside of the gun I'd guarantee that there will be considerable corrosion in the lock assemblies but they generally can be cleaned up amazingly well. I wouldn't hesitate at all to buy that one.

I personally think that the Laminated steel barrels with a good black/white finish is very attractive.
Damascus would be considered higher quality since it was reserved for the higher grade guns. Obviously a comparable condition grade 2 (Damascus) will be worth more than a grade 1 (twist or laminated).

Pattern and laminate barrel guns cost more than twist, but should you pay more now? That's kind of up to you. I would, but not much unless it was one of the different pattern damascus like chain or etoile. The nicer pattern barrels were used on high end gun so they're gonna be more expensive. Remington offered 12 different patterns and I'm sure the other companies like Parker did also. I like the lifter guns more because one doesn't see them very often and people always show an interest in them.