Ben
I have been following this thread and realize that you are not a member and can't access the member forums. One of the big reasons to join is to check the sales forums for good buys or just info. Last week there was a 12 ga DHE with 32 " barrels listed for sale in the high-mid $2000 range. It had been restored several years ago and was in great shape, had been in a collection and was listed as being in solid condition by a well known seller. All finishes looked good and would have made a solid trap or waterfowl gun that was impressive to see and use. It sold quickly. Deals like this come up all the time. When I bought my first two Parkers a few years ago I bought a 12 ga G grade and a 16 ga D grade that had been totally restored and then not obviously shot only a few years before. I paid in the range of $2500 to 3000 for both of them and they are magnificent looking guns. I recieved documentation on both of the restorations and the work for the restorations was between 2 and 3 times what I paid, and didn't include the purchase price of the guns being restored..
This is just the reality of the market and it is relatively easy to find buys like this if patient. Spend some time really researching the market and then compare your gun to what you find. Then decide if you would rather spend thousands of dollars restoring the gun you have or buy two more completely restored guns and doing any required maintenence work on the one you have. Most people, unless it is a family heirloom, will generally come down on the practical side of the equation.
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