Looking for assistance on identifying Parker SBT

[Phil Reiser]

I am located in Canada and am in the process of assisting a Late Friend's son in liquidating his Fathers gun collection. One of the firearms is a Parker Bros SBT 12 Gauge Serial # 178218 with 32" barrel. I have identified that this firearm was manufactured in 1917 but have not confirmed much else about it. The grade is not marked on the water table above the serial number. The frame size on the barrel lug shows a 12. Is it common for the / to be missing between the 1 and 2 which would then correspond with the chart in the Technical Information on Parkerguns.org. At some time in its life it has had a Morgan Premium Adjustable Curved Recoil Pad installed. There is a crack that has been repaired at the bottom of the forearm. I also suspect the wood has been refinished.
Any information anyone can provide based on the accompanying pictures and info I have provided would be greatly appreciated. An educated guess as to its value would also help me in pricing this item for sale.
Thanks,
Phil

[B. Dudley]

The gun is overall in not too good of condition. The wood has been heavily varnished and the checkering poorly recut. The forend has damage and the metalwork appears to have been cold blued.
I am sure that the gun functions fine as a shooter. But the condition issues would place it very low on the value range for an SC grade Parker.

[Phil Reiser]

Thank You Mr. Dudley for your response and assessment. This is the first Parker I have ever seen or handled but I certainly agree with your comments.

The gun locks up tight and appears to be in very good working condition and the bore is excellent. What would be an approximate value for an SC at the low end of the value range?
Thanks,
Phil

[John Davis]

Phil, I’ve paid as much as $4,000 for an SC and as little as $900. I’ve used the $900 SC for parts and I lost money on the $4grand SC when I sold it. Average the two and you’re at $2,450. The gun in question is well below average but better than parts. That’s about all I can tell you.

[Drew Hause]

The turned pin and buggered screws are unfortunate, and suggest someone worked on the gun without the expertise to do so.

For interest, this is a Parker SBT introduction ad in the April 1917 Illustrated Outdoor World and Recreation
https://books.google.com/books?id=gX87AQAAMAAJ&pg=PA148

1918 with a grooved FE which I'm not sure anyone has actually seen



The Morgan pad was introduced about 1932

[Bill Murphy]

Your gun is a very early gun. It deserves a PGCA letter, which you should share with us in case the original purchaser is someone we would recognize. It also deserves a professional refinish of the wood and recheckering, as well as a redo of the screws. Canadians are not as emotional about Parkers as we are south of the border, so in its present condition, this gun would be sold for $700 to $800 or some similar amount.

[Phil Reiser]

Thank You everyone for your responses. I will now be placing this gun up for sale in Canada and see if there is any interest.
Thanks,
Phil

[Frank Good]

Originally Posted by Phil Reiser

Thank You everyone for your responses. I will now be placing this gun up for sale in Canada and see if there is any interest.
Thanks,
Phil

Where are you posting it? I'm in Canada & haven't seen any listed on the more common sites or dealers.

[Phil Reiser]

The Parker was placed for sale on Gunpost, Townpost and the Alberta Outdoorsmen. I put it up for sale for $1,000.00 and it sold almost immediately so the ads weren't active for long.

Phil

[Bill Murphy]

Congratulations.