Author needs help
 

If somebody is willing to venture an opinion, I need an idea of what a side-by-side Parker might have been worth in 1960. I am writing a piece of fiction in which the value of a stolen Parker contributes to the story line. The Parker is not specifically described so a range of values would be plenty of help. Would appreciate anything you can do.

Ewh cool. Prices will very greatly pick a grade of gun like a fancy expensive gun with lots of engraving and fine wood that someone of means would have, or just a field grade gun that would have been used as go to hunting gun. What is setting of story.

All that will help and there are several knowledgeable guys could probably help.

No one can tell you what it was worth in 1960, it would depend on the grade and condition. It might be better in the story line to list the grade and year of manufacture. I could look up the price of the grade and tell you what it sold for when new if that helps

Use this tool:

http://futureboy.us/fsp/dollar.fsp

I think the simplest answer would not differ much from today! $50 for a parts junker, and upwards of $100,000 for a holy grail gun...so you can take your pick!

Keep in mind, in 1960, anything but a fluid steel barrel gun would have been a wallhanger with very little value. Even a higher grade gun.

Destry

I have a certain attraction to these wallhangers. Wish I could have picked some up at 1960s pricing!

Contact Griffin & Howe, they were in business then and handled Parkers.

Assuming 12 gauge, a VH non ejector gun in clean condition would have sold for $125, maybe $150 if in very nice condition. A DH grade gun in field used condition, but clean, would sell for $200. These are just examples from my 1960 past.

That would help
 

That would help; if you would pick out a grade likely for the circumstances I will describe, and look it up.
Grade isn't defined in the story line because it would be out of character for the owner, who inherited it, to know much about it. It would not be a very high end gun, but would be better than a Trojan. Would have been a 12 or 16 gauge bought in the 1920s and used for hunting by a prosperous banker in a small town. And it would be in good used condition, prized and cared for by its original owner and not used at all since his death in 1955.