Hello from California

Michael Perkins · 03-19-2022, 08:02 PM

I'm new to the world of gun collecting but recently inherited a 20 gauge Parker Brothers DH Grade 3 Titanic Steel with ejector. Per the serial number (133311) I think it was manufactured in 1905.

It was purchased by my grandfather for his young daughter (my aunt). Though it has been used and was well maintained since then, I last fired it about 50 years ago while hunting ducks with him in my pre-teen days in San Diego. But now I'm a city dweller in northern CA with no real use for it.

Does anybody have an idea of what it may be worth? Photos attached.

Jim DiSpagno · 03-19-2022, 08:16 PM

There is not a lot to like on this Parker. It has been, sorry to say, been butchered. Incorrect restock with no Steel Skelton BP. No checkering fore end broken and improperly repaired. Frame was hot blued from what I could see as were the barrels. Trigger plate screws buggered badly and out of time and there is probably more that the few pics don’t show.
Not worth more than a few hundred dollars IMHO Sorry for all the negativity. Jim

Michael Perkins · 03-19-2022, 08:22 PM

Jim, thanks for the quick look and your candid reply. Looks like sentimental value only. Mike

Jim DiSpagno · 03-19-2022, 08:50 PM

Yes clean it up and use it.

B. Dudley · 03-21-2022, 08:11 AM

Though the gun has a lot wrong with it, a 20g DHE with titanic barrels is worth much more than a couple hundred dollars. Any day of the week if it is whole and goes bang. Period. If the gun were put on gunbroker with a penny start, it would be far more than that. For sure.

A gun like this has great restoration potential if one would desire to go that route. Providing that the barrels are sound. Just for what the gun is, the cost of a proper restoration would likely not exceed the value of the gun when done. This is not always the case. And there is nobody in a better position to do that than the one who inherited it and paid nothing for the gun. I know a number of people out there who would buy a gun like that and then pay for restoration on top of it.

Michael Perkins · 03-21-2022, 11:25 AM

Thank you Brian for your more encouraging assessment.
If I were to sell it as-is, is GunBroker (my first time!) the best avenue or are there other ways to find potential buyers, such as through local gun shops? I'm looking for low-hassle.

B. Dudley · 03-21-2022, 12:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Michael Perkins

Thank you Brian for your more encouraging assessment.
If I were to sell it as-is, is GunBroker (my first time!) the best avenue or are there other ways to find potential buyers, such as through local gun shops? I'm looking for low-hassle.

That is for you to decide. But Gunbroker would be the way to ensure that you get the most money it. Start it cheap with No reserve and let it go. People will bid, and the one who wants it the most will pay what it is worth to him.

6pt-Sika · 03-21-2022, 08:07 PM

I'm curious what length are the barrels ?

ArtS · 03-22-2022, 06:07 PM

Brian is absolutely correct. Guns like that in a desireable configuration bring good money in any kind of decent shape. They can get a reasonable checkering and refurbish job job for a modest sum and have a good useable Parker to enjoy. Even charcoal is not overly expensive if you don't have to have a name shop do it. That gun would be a big hit on Gunbroker with a penny start.

Jim Thynne · 03-29-2022, 09:16 AM

I need a project. If you decide to sell it , I would probably send it to brian after the engraving is finished.