[Kevin McCormack]

Bill -

Normally I would say send it to my house and I will provide not only an appraisal but a field evaluation as well, but since we are a continent apart; my old Setter is dead, and my aging Lab is on her last legs and postage and insurance across the Great Divide is hefty these days, I will defer. (All foregoing just kidding, of course).

There are so many variables in evaluating Parker Guns that it staggers the mind. The basic "Polar North" of course is "Condition, Condition, Condition. Nowadays the smaller bores rule in terms of dollar value and desireability. Any smallbore graded gun (e.g., G or above) brings a steadily escalating premium over any lesser-graded gun, regardless of gauge. That is, a 16 BHE grade brings more money than a 12 ga (same grade) ; a 20 springs ahead of a 16, a 28 takes a quantum leap over all three, and a .410 BHE makes you switch oxygen tanks (3 are known; 1 is genuine; 1 is "compromised", and one is a bona fide bogus gun). And any CHE is a very desireable gun, provided condition is OK!

The real proof of the pudding in evaluating any gun is to have the gun in hand and some "quiet time" for examining the gun and recording as much info as possible from it. Depending on the gun, this can take anywhere from 10 minutes on a "mint" Trojan Grade 12 ga. (no mysteries) to anywhere from 2 to 3 hours on an exceptional gun.

For example, I spent 2 1/2 hours and made 5 pages of notes with the John Phillip Sousa AAHE Whitworth Steel-barreled Pigeon Gun auctioned buy Alderfers Auction in PA some years ago; the prospective (and final) buyer of the gun spent less than 10 minutes examining the gun before bidding. A very rare Parker and a "closet" gun that had never been offered for sale before; detailed research was and is the key!

As guns ascend in desireability of grade and gauges, a myriad of questions pour out: how are the (case) colors? How is the condition of the wood? Is the stock original? Is the checkering pattern and inletting of the stock correct? Is the grade of the wood in the stock commensurate with the grade of the gun? Is the finish of the stock original? re the dimensions desireable for actual use?

How are the bores? What length are the chambers and do they correspond to the correct period length for that gauge (e.g., before c. 1927-29 you are liable to encounter a great variance in chamber length over gauge; after that, production consistencies in ammunition production more or less determined "standard" chamber lengths in most American SxSs.) Have the barrels been cut? Have the chokes been opened up? Have the chambers been lengthened? ( In this day and age, actually a plus.)

There is so much to know and so few people available (realitively speaking) that can answer a majority of these questions, that I recommend your first move being to get a letter on your gun from the PGCA. If records exist, the letter will provide you with at least a modicum of information. At least that will provide you with a basis of data on which to research your gun further (e.g., compare barrel length, choke, weight and stock configuration as recorded when it left the factory with the current condition of the gun).

Next I would recommend that you take (or have someone take) some clear, closeup digital pictures of your gun and post them on this site so we can look at them. Pay close attention to receiver engraving; stock condition, wood to metal fit, butt treatment; muzzle close ups, and watertable, barrel, and frame markings. This can help tell a great deal about the gun. No one knows it all, but there are a lot of us on this BBS that have looked at a LOT of Parker Guns!

My experience with auction houses has been mostly rewarding so far as the evaluation and sale of fine double guns has been concerned. The more discriminating firms most often have their operatives defer to the individuals possessing the most intimate knowledge of the desireability, rarity, historical significance, and technical importance of collectible firearms (not just Parkers!). These individuals, of course, are the seminal collectors of these guns. Most are not conducive to being approached for individual gun appraisals for obvious reasons (e.g. security; purchase; resale, etc.).

I would encourage you to use this site as a first step in determining the "value" of your gun. There are many of us here that can help you. The "dollars and sense" will come later very naturally.