New owner to an old Parker

[William Boyd]

Hi there I just purchased my first Parker a (1910 I believe ser # 155427) it is a V grade 1 1/2 frame with 3 12 weight all numbers match 12 gauge.
It is a well used old gun but I could not be happier or more excited about owning it.I had it out to the turkey shoot for my first time shooting it yesterday and came home with a turkey and ended up in a couple of shoot outs with a couple of veteran trap shooters,I came out second best but I hardly ever shoot trap.That gun points so nice I think I will sell my Rem 870TB as I cant see ever using it again.
This a great site where I can see there are very knowledgable and passionate people with their Parkers.
I have a couple of questions one of which is are there numbers somewhere telling me the chamber size and for insurance reasons I am wondering if anyone can tell me an aproximate value,also there is a little crest un the stock,is that something on all Parkers. I cannot seem to get more pictures to download and I fear I am hopless on a computer.


<a href="http://s1037.photobucket.com/albums/a459>

[C.O.B.]

Congratulations on your first (it won't be the last) Parker. It sounds like you shoot it very well. As value is subjective I'll leave that alone but the crest in the buttstock is an initial plate where some owners would have their initials engraved. The best way to get the correct chamber length is to measure them. If its a late production gun it's most likely 2 3/4, a early gun might be 2 1/2.

[William Boyd]

Originally Posted by Richard Anderson

Congratulations on your first (it won't be the last) Parker. It sounds like you shoot it very well. As value is subjective I'll leave that alone but the crest in the buttstock is an initial plate where some owners would have their initials engraved. The best way to get the correct chamber length is to measure them. If its a late production gun it's most likely 2 3/4, a early gun might be 2 1/2.

Thanks for the welcome but I would have to say the gun shoots very well, not me

[John D.]

Hi William!

Welcome aboard!! As well, I'm going to move this thread to the main forum so it won't be overlooked by others on the site as well, OK?

Again - you have terrific taste in SXS shotguns

Best,

John

[ch]

William, looks like a dandy to me. They do point nice. ch

[Bob Jurewicz]

William,
Most here are reluctant to place values on guns. I'll wade in with an opinion based on your pictures. I would say that an insurance appraisal would be between $1500 and $2000. Next, the chamber originally were for 2 1/2" shells and would remain today if not lenghtened. The plate is factory on all Parkers except Trojans.
Enjoy your Parker. Your now bite by the "bug".
Bob Jurewicz

[William Boyd]

Originally Posted by Bob Jurewicz

William,
Most here are reluctant to place values on guns. I'll wade in with an opinion based on your pictures. I would say that an insurance appraisal would be between $1500 and $2000. Next, the chamber originally were for 2 1/2" shells and would remain today if not lenghtened. The plate is factory on all Parkers except Trojans.
Enjoy your Parker. Your now bite by the "bug".
Bob Jurewicz

Thanks for your reply,based on the serial number is there a way to learn what were the original specs on this gun ie chamber length, chokes, barrel length etc.
I have been shooting trap loads 2 3/4 with no issues.
On a different note as I have been looking at the post,s and pictures of other members, even though I am excited to own and shoot my Parker I see that on my particular gun it is like comparing a broken down 1959 Volkswagen (mine) to a Rolls Royce Phantom (some of the other members). There are some beautiful guns shown here.

[George Lander]

Hello William: All of the foregoing is on target. I would suggest joining the Parker Gun Collectors Association and investing in a letter ($40.00). If Mark has the card on file it will give you all the original specifications plus perhaps the original purchaser. Good luck with your Parker. Your analogy of comparing a VW to a Rolls doesn't hold true when it comes to Parkers. All Parkers are basically the same(perhaps excluding the Trojan). The value lies in the embellishments: the engraving, the wood, ejectors, etc. Welcome Aboard!

Best Regards, George

[ch]

Hope the ol girl didn't here you call her a broke down vw! ch

[William Boyd]

Originally Posted by George Lander

Hello William: All of the foregoing is on target. I would suggest joining the Parker Gun Collectors Association and investing in a letter ($40.00). If Mark has the card on file it will give you all the original specifications plus perhaps the original purchaser. Good luck with your Parker. Your analogy of comparing a VW to a Rolls doesn't hold true when it comes to Parkers. All Parkers are basically the same(perhaps excluding the Trojan). The value lies in the embellishments: the engraving, the wood, ejectors, etc. Welcome Aboard!

Best Regards, George

I certainly did not mean to say that Parkers were old junkers ,what I meant was I got so excited about mine, but when I viewed pictures of some of the other members the appearance of mine did not hold a candle to some of the others.Mine is one very well used old gal but I love her.