1917 Parker 12 ga inquiry...
 

I have an estate sale company and found this double barrel shotgun in a closet at a recent estate house. I'm looking for someone who might know how much it is worth and how I go about selling it. Here's what I found on the Parker site: Serial #176784, manufactured in 1917, frame size = 2, weight of barrel = 3-13, Grade = OV, Trojan Steel. Any ideas? Any information would be very much appreciated!

Kathy,

Could you post some pictures? Condition is everything and the pictures will help us help you.

Kindest, Harry

Hi Harry, I'm new to this site, so bear with me... I have 5 photos, but not really sure what I'm supposed to take a picture of. Let me know if you need something else. A friend told me the inside of the barrel is shiny like a mirror which means it's been well maintained. The man was a machinist that owned it. Thanks again for your help!
Kathy

Well, I can't figure out how to put the photos on. I thought I downloaded them, but I don't see where to attach them. Hmmm...

Photos attached...
 

Okay, I think I've attached the 5 photos. Duh... Thanks again for any help!
Kathy

Kathy,I will take a shot at this.From the looks of the picture's this Trojan grade gun is in honest well used and cared for condition.If the gun has not been altered in any way I would estimate this gun in the $1000.00-$1200.00 dollar range. Could you post the serial number? It is located on the trigger guard bow behind the triggers.

Machinists always take good care of their tools, etc.
 

Thanks Dave- I agree. Looks like the gentleman who owned this nice 12 Trojan took care of it, and I have owned two such 12 Trojans, both were sound well made shotguns, just not with the "niceties" of the Graded Parkers.

Kathy, this Trojan is an honest gun, and if you provide us with the serial number we can date it possibly for you. Not too many changes over the 1914-1940 (aprox.) run for the Trojan (OV) is the correct grade stamp- the 12 gauges were the biggest sellers, and always the std. No. 2 frame, which means this gun will withstand stout loads, should the next owner wish to use same.

Older doubles, Parkers too, were not meant for modern steel shot, if the purchaser is a waterfowler, as I like to think I am. But you can buy and shoot legal non-toxic loads to shoot in quality guns such as this one.

Maybe the owner was also, like yours truly, a Marine- in which case he knew that "There's never any excuse for a rusty weapon"!!:bigbye:

Thanks you guys! The serial number is 176784. According to the Parker website it was manufactured in 1917. Do you think this is correct?

Much appreciated,
Kathy

Kathy,176784 is not in the "Serialization" book. Could you post a picture of the muzzle ends of the barrels?How long are the barrels end to end?

Okay you guys, this serial number is in several places. I'm attaching 3 more photos that show it. The barrels are 28" long from end to end. I really appreciate your help...thanks so much!
Kathy

I also have an Ithaca double barrel shotgun, I think 1907, if anyone is interested in that. I wasn't sure if this was a forum I could place photos of that shotgun also. If anyone would like to see photos, let me know.
Thanks!
Kathy