Briley thinwall VH price check

Boxbirder · 03-06-2011, 07:43 AM

I seem to be getting into these Parker Gems. Here's what I have on my plate this week, 1931 VH 32" vent rib, Beavertail forend, Miller trigger, Vent rib and ejector. This P shooter was done up be Del Greco then sent to Briley for thinwalls.

I have only seen pictures of this gun, by weeks end I will go look at it, price is what has me thinking. Before we get into the gun is ruined with the thinwalls, my thinking is to me it's perfect, I can shoot it at just about anything I want. Sporting clays, skeet, live pigeons, waterfowl, starlings over chit pits. I have no desire to get into keeping fair weather safe queens.

The owner has a price what he thinks is fair value for his gun. He's stressed to me that the over haul has increased the value, the Briley job has made it more desireable. He's also is one of these anal wierdo's who talks non stop on the phone, keeps a log of every shell he's fired through the gun, how he got his masterclass sporting clays............ then after all his ranting tells me he did what Browning, Perazzi, K gun do install choke tubes. All while I am thinking to myself how am I going to get this guy to come down on price and he doesn't take it personally.

Bottom line is I think I would like to own this gun, but I also don't want to get deep into something that I could build on my own. The restore job does nothing for me maybe even turns me off since I like the looks of a worn funeral grade. As long as it's mechanically sound, tight on face and the choke work mic's out.
Is there a % that I should knock off his asking price and why?

Big D · 03-06-2011, 08:06 AM

I've not seen any instances where adding screw-in chokes increased a historic gun's value. They're a breakeven proposition at best. Once the gun has been altered, I would not pay anything more for the alleged restoration. If I were trying to buy the gun as a shooter (and therefore the chokes were a plus) it sounds like my opinion of value and the seller's would be a mile apart. Without pix of the gun, and knowledge of his asking price, I don't think it's possible to give a percentage discount. Good luck

Boxbirder · 03-06-2011, 08:22 AM

Right now I know of the same gun that just got back from a well known Smith out in PA. Gave it the green light asking price was 4900 of course no restore job. Now the gun with the restore and chokes he's asking 6600. So my thinking was go in at 5500. He says no deal I walk go get the other gun and can get the briley job for 600... total 5500 no blue or stock work. I don't know if it's worth to meet him half way for a shooter at 6k.

Bruce Day · 03-06-2011, 08:39 AM

You are going to be looking at the refinish job (it may not be a true restoration) every time you look in the gun safe and every moment you pick the gun up. If you don't like the looks of the gun now, its not going to get any better with time and you will dislike the gun more.

Unless a gun is really compelling to you, pass it by. And if a gun is truly compelling to you, I would not be one to dicker much on price, provided it was fair. I have seen and handled many Parkers, some wonderful guns, but so few really jump out at me such that I would like to own them.

C.O.B. · 03-06-2011, 08:42 AM

I wouldn't pay 5K for a non ejector, redone VH shooter let alone 6K. The Briley's are a big turn off for me.

If you want a double to shoot clays with and have choke tubes installed in it there are thousands of O/U's out there specifically designed for that purpose.

Chris T. · 03-06-2011, 09:08 AM

5k seems crazy to me. There was a nice VHE 12 32" on gunbroker for weeks for $2000. The stock was refinished, barrels 90% and action 50% were original and nice. I would keep looking, you can add Briley's to any gun if it's what you want. I wouldn't buy a high grade gun with choke tubes, but they wouldn't bother me on a V grade. I just think with a little patience you could find what you want for much less.

Opening Day · 03-06-2011, 09:13 AM

I agree with Rich walk away. A VH 12 ga is worth what at 50% condition because a redone gun is worth about the same or a little less (now I am talking a high grade restoration not Joe's Gun Shop) So what would you expect to pay for a VH 12 ga in 50% cc and 80% blue and stock finish? In my mind I am a long way (south) from $5000..... Oh and the tubes take away value (to me big time to others less) so he's not getting any value for those... Just my thoughts. Eric

Boxbirder · 03-06-2011, 09:14 AM

I failed to mention it is an ejector gun. OK find me a 32" vent rib, beavertail, miller trigger, ejector and I will buy it.

Opening Day · 03-06-2011, 09:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mark Parela

I failed to mention it is an ejector gun. OK find me a 32" vent rib, beavertail, miller trigger, ejector and I will buy it.

Mark they are out there...And still what would you be willing to pay for a VHE with those extras? If 5K is your price then do it if not then walk away. Eric

Chris T. · 03-06-2011, 09:39 AM

Sounds like you want it! If you do, then buy it. You are the only person you have to convince that it's a good buy, and if it's exactely what you want than maybe it is. Vent ribs, beaver tail forends and single triggers are sometime difficult to find, it could be years before you come across another one so if you want it...