Looking for help to solve a mystery
I am reaching out to PGCA hoping that the community can assist me with a difficult task - establishing the value of a 1934 20-gauge VH commissioned and owned by my Grandfather, William Douglas Pawley.*I contacted Mary at PGCA and she suggested the wonderful PGCA community may be able to solve my mystery. So let me say thanks in advance for your time, interest and help. Here's the story...
My grandfather*lived a very exciting and in many cases dangerous life. He as twice a US Ambassador under President Truman, founder of the WWI Flying Tigers (AVG), confidant and friend of numerous US presidents and world leaders and a noted businessman. And he was an avid hunter.
He died in 1977 (under questionable circumstances) when I was a senior in high school. In his will he left me 2 1934 Parker VH shotguns. They were a matched set consisting of a 20-gauge*and 4-10 gauge complete with engraved case. They were wonderfully scribed and scrolled as many Parker's are I believe. I didn't know much about the guns, their heritage or their "story". Nor did he leave me any. And sadly I have no photos to share.
A private*collector, a prominent Miami businessman and close family friend had been interested in adding these guns (mostly the 4-10) to his considerable collection. We'll call him Mr. X for now. For years Mr. X had offered to buy the guns from my grandfather (they knew each other well) but my grandfather never sold them.
When my grandfather passed Mr. X (who was a close friend to my family as well) approached me to see if I would be interested in selling or trading the guns (more specifically the 4-10) for something he had that I was starting to collect. I agreed to the trade and Mr. X made me a second offer.
Mr. X had an exquisite showroom for his large gun (mostly Parkers) collection. It was climate controlled and under top-level security. He offered to hold the 20 gauge for me as I had nothing similar to store it nor did my parents and I was headed off to college. Mr X. was adamant in keeping the guns together. He felt that as they were created as a set they should be kept together. He felt that was a unique quality they share. I was happy to accept the offer and the gun stayed in his possession. That was in 1977.
After college I moved away from Miami and hadn't returned much to Miami. When I did, our paths didn't cross. But in 1995 I was introduced to a local collector who was interested in the 20-gauge. I reached out to Mr. X to enquire about the gun and it's value so I could deal with the potential buyer. Mr. X kindly sent me several letters over a few months where a) confirmed he was holding it for me, b) what his expert felt it was worth (I had no idea) and c) that it also had a case with my grandfather's initials in it.
Fast forward to this year. I am retiring and lining up assets, etc. for various reasons. Mr X has long since passed but his son Mr. X, Jr. has taken over the family business and all his father's collections (guns, arts, etc.). When I contacted him to discuss the gun and me taking possession of it again, Mr. X, Jr. advised that the estate sold a large number of his father's gun collection since his passing and others were on loan while others housed in other properties. Consequently he would need to do some research to locate the gun.
It's been 3 months since I began my conversation with him and he has not been able to provide a status of the gun - sold, lost or otherwise. I am concerned they will not find the gun and I will have to make a claim against his father's estate (or insurance company). To do so I'll need to determine as best I can what the value of the gun is and then the value of it's heritage. And I'm hoping the Parker community can help me establish its value.
I do have the serial number so I was able to confirm the year it was manufactured. I also confirmed the serial number via the PGCA website confirming also that a manufacturers letter or history exists (I have not ordered one yet). I don't have pictures sadly. Barrels are 26" and pull is 13 7/8" over a pad.
As for the gun's heritage, my Grandfather was William Douglas Pawley, 2-time US Ambassador under President Truman, Aviation entrepreneur, founder of the WWII Flying Tigers (AVG) and an avid gun collector. This should make the gun truly unique and unusual but I have no idea. You can read more about him here...
[URL="https://coltowner.substack.com/p/the-timeline-who-is-william-pawley?utm_source=pocket_shared"]
Hopefully this is enough information to help offer some insight or guidance on how I can establish a true value for this gun.*But please ask whatever questions you may have and I'll do my best to answer.
With my sincerest thanks...
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05-29-2025, 08:31 AM
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