1939 Runge

[Bill Murphy]

We should refer to Kevin McCormack's article on Bob Runge to determine when he quit engraving for Remington. It was later than 1947 because he signed some 11-48 and Sportsman 48 semi automatic shotguns which were introduced in 1948. He engraved a bunch of Parker upgrades in the fifties and later which are now showing up on the market after their owners pass to the next generation.

[Dean Romig]

Originally Posted by Bill Murphy

He engraved a bunch of Parker upgrades in the fifties and later which are now showing up on the market after their owners pass to the next generation.

But wasn't that in the days of the DelGrego upgrades? I don't think Remington was in the business of upgrading Parkers were they?

[Bill Murphy]

Yes, Dean, RPR was retired from Remington when he and Larry Senior collaborated on the great upgrades.

[C grade]

I recently had the pleasure of shooting a Runge/ DelGrego AIS upgrade. This gun started life as a VHE 28" 410 and was upgraded early on by Bob and Lawrence. Stunning gun!! My question is one one value. If an original existed it would be a US$ 200,000 + gun. What would be the value and an "almost original" upgrade?
David

[Double Play]

Originally Posted by David Dwyer

I recently had the pleasure of shooting a Runge/ DelGrego AIS upgrade. This gun started life as a VHE 28" 410 and was upgraded early on by Bob and Lawrence. Stunning gun!! My question is one one value. If an original existed it would be a US$ 200,000 + gun. What would be the value and an "almost original" upgrade?
David

Dave,
One was sold at our gun club several years ago. I was not present and did not get to see the gun but it sold in a couple of minutes for $35k. I remember thinking the buyer must be crazy but now, I'm not so sure.

I did get to handle what appeared to be a D/R 410 AHE upgrade that Robin Hollow had at the Greenwich show a few years ago and I believe they were asking similar money if not more.

[Dean Romig]

Originally Posted by Larry Frey

I did get to handle what appeared to be a D/R 410 AHE upgrade that Robin Hollow had at the Greenwich show a few years ago and I believe they were asking similar money if not more.

Larry, that one had a "POR" tag on it, like we often see on RHO high-end guns, but before the show was over the tag was changed to $49K

[C grade]

Thanks guys-this was offered to me for $45,000 and I felt that was pretty steep. I can buy a lot of original Parker for that kind of US$