Here is an auction--not mine--far from over as I type this, of a reasonably well restored Parker VH 12 gauge. The current price, being about $1100, is more than it would sell for (at least on GB) if it were all original and down in the 20 or 30% range, which is probably where it was when restored. And the auction isn't over. I am watching this auction to further understand how the market responds to properly (even if not perfectly) restored Parkers, which was the original point of this thread. Clearly, a proper restoration does increase market value if the gun started at 30% or less condition, and very likely dramatically so if it was previously botched, such as a hot blued frame "refinish".
The question in my mind is whether the increase in market value will exceed the cost of the properly performed restoration? In most cases, and especially with lower grade guns, that does not appear to be the case, which is likely why we see so few properly restored field grade guns on the market. Its like counterfeiting a one dollar bill.
http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/Vie...Item=363163311
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