Parker GH, 12 ga, Damascus barrels, 1927 production
 

Several months ago, I stated I had a retired gunsmith friend who had an absolutely mint Parker engraved with hammers, 1926 production, Damascus barrels, engraved. Well, funny how you forget these things, but the engraving (GH grade) and the Damascus barrels are the only part that is true. Very good plus condition, but not excellent, a GH (thus no exposed hammers), it is 12 gauge, and 1927 production, which is late for a Damascus barreled Parker. Number 221278. Pictures fairly accurately depict the gun, a small ding in one barrel, hardly noticeable, and the case colouring is fairly accurately depicted, except right side of frame, accurately depicted, has one prominent darker (blued) spot in the case colouring, which probably is factory original, but it appears darker than I would expect given the rest of the case coloring.

Sorry for the delay in photographs, but my gunsmith friend had to locate the gun, which took time.

This gun is for sale, to me, and the big question is, what is fair value amongst friends? To me, that would be auction value (hammer price), no commissions, win-win for both of us. I don't have to pay commission, he doesn't have to bother contacting auction houses, worry about not attaining the minimum bid, etc.

How desireable, or less so, might be a Damascus gun from this era?

And more photographs...
 

As memory did not serve me well, I am glad I did not pay for this one based on what I "recalled"; and so I present the facts. A photograph is worth a thousand words...

It is a very nice gun. GH 12g Parkers are pretty common. But when they are condition like that or better, they are ones to be had.
Based on the photos and assuming the bores are as nice as the outside, I would say that $1,500-$2,000 is a good price where everyone wins.

It looks entirely original from where I sit, including that darker spot in the case color on the right side of the frame.
I think it is a desirable gun, being such a late Damascus gun.(It is a rare gun as it stands on its own merit.) If the bores are as nice as the rest of the gun and the chokes and chambers have not been altered, it is in my opinion at least as valuable as a comparable GHE of the same YOM with Parker Special Steel barrels and perhaps more so.

I recently sold a GH (No E) in the very same condition, with PSS barrels for over $4700.

My opinion - YMMV





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I'm with Brian. If I were to buy I would want to pay no more than $1600. 12 GA guns are currently an anchor!
Bob Jurewicz

....and my gun was not even for sale. The gentleman to whom I sold it (who’s name most of us old-timers will recognize as a high end collector who drives an extremely hard bargain, INSISTED I sell it to him at HIS price) would not take “No” for an answer. Just sayin...





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I think more like $2,500 would be a good deal for both parties ( assuming the bores are good and the chambers and chokes are original ). Even though it is a 12 gauge...it is in very good condition. Most of us would be proud to own a gun like that.

I think it would be fun to have. How many GHs are out there with proof marks? You may not ever see another.

A lot of them. In fact every single one made after they started marking them.

I was just looking through my file of barrel flat pictures and it appears the "Parker Bros. Overload Proved" marks start in the 217xxx range. But, there appears to be a break in the 236xxx range where some guns were shipped before they made the "Parker Gun Works Overload Proved" stamp.