CH Opportunity
 

Gentlemen I have the opportunity to purchase a CH, I believe it dates 1892. This particular CH was a Worlds Fair winner and at one time was owned by major baseball great and Hall of Fame inductee Christy Mathewson.
The gun does not have the original Bernard barrels. My questions are, What are the main things to consider before purchasing? Is it possible to ever locate the original barrels? Should I allow the guns history to play a role in my bargaining? I'm flying out to examine it in the morning, what should I consider before literally pulling the trigger? I currently own two VH's a 20 ga. and a 12 ga., this is my first serious consideration on purchasing a high grade Parker.
Thanks in advance for your assistance.

The history adds interest but may not translate to value.

An 1892 C will have fine scroll, lots of detail and probably deer or elk engraving. If abused, the engraving could be worn down.

Spare Bernard barrels are about impossible to find. The last spare set I know of were #2 frames and sold for $2000 four years ago the moment they were offered. I was too late. Spare grade 2 damascus barrels are always available and you can always buy a G for cheap and cannibalize the barrels to return the C to close originality. Added fluid barrels are all right but not as nice as the original Bernards.

The wood should be high quality and very attractive on this gun. Its like these were old growth French walnut with depth and complexity that is just not seen anymore even in costly blanks.

Hope you have the original skeleton butt.

Being a Worlds Fair gun , the engraving should be spectacular. I'd like to see it.

Here are a few photos of an 1891 C 12ga Bernard/10ga Damascus.

If the gun is missing the original barrels, I'd want to know where the replacement set came from. Were they factory added and serial numbered to the gun? If the work was done by Parker there may be a record of this happening, in which case I'd personally feel better about the barrels being replacements. Do you know for sure that the barrels were in fact "lost" and not damaged or destroyed, necessitating a new set? (i.e. are they even out there to be found?) Also for a gun this rich in history, is there any documentation of it's accomplishments and previous owner?

Just some thoughts,

Mike

Orphaned Bernard barrels are out there but like Bruce says, they're about impossible to find. I have a set that I would like to find the gun for because these barrels are a bit unique. What is the serial number of the CH you are going to examine? Maybe we have a match. My Bernard barrels are for a 1 Frame.

Do you know for a fact that the gun originally had Bernard barrels and not Damascus? Not all Cs were Bernard

Take your camera so you can bring back some pictures if you leave the gun. That could be a very neet gun there is somthing about early C's.

If you are making the effort to fly out to see it, everything else is a moot point. Buy it if you like the gun and the provenance is correct.

if you like the gun andcan afford it buy it...if you pass it up youll be sorry about the one that got away... charlie

I second Charlie's advice above. It is better to pay a few bucks more than curse yourself for years for the one that got away. If you like it- go for it.

That's Bruces famous 10ga 'quail gun' !