advise for neophite

[Patrick Devlin]

I have been looking at several Parkers lately with the idea of expanding on my modest, to say the least, collection. The other day I looked at a GH that the buyer portrayed as in very good original condition. Upon examination I found that the barrels had been cut and poorly re-blued and the stock had a professional crack repair at the wrist. I guess my point is that when I look at a Parker with the intention of purchasing I feel as I am being duped or I am missing something. My question is what are some of the finer points when evaluating a gun as to condition and what modifications are acceptable. In the past I let that ,got to have it, feeling over ride my common sense.

Thanks,
Pat

[Bill Murphy]

Well, you hit two of the more common things to look for. Step one is to buy the Serialization Book. Step two is to buy a bore micrometer or two. You need a zero to one inch micrometer, or a good vernier caliper, a magnifying glass and a tape measure. A 5X8 legal pad and a ball point pen completes the basic neccesities.

[Opening Day]

Well Pat you did a good job at walking away from that gun, everything you just mentioned is a good reason to walk esp. the cut barrels Many sellers and I mean many... will not represent the gun for what it is so it is buyer beware Ask questions on this board and hopefully we can keep you out of some of the troubles that we all have done and learn from our mistakes...

[Bindlestiff]

Eric,
I agree with what you said if you are looking at a collector gun but I must say that my favorite hunting Parker is a nice looking GHE 16 that fits me well.... so I shoot it well. Even though the barrels are cut, you couldn't pry it away from me. Of course its not worth as much as it would be with uncut barrels but its still a great gun.

[Patrick Devlin]

Gentleman, thanks for the help I will take all I can get. Bill I have all the tools you recommended I just don't know what to do with them. I also have some specific questions that those more knowledgeable than I, almost everybody on this site, can help with. If a stock has a crack professionally repaired does that decrease the value substantially? If the barrels have been re-blued are there always holes visible in the bottom rib. If the bores or chamber lengths have been altered does that detract from the value. These are just a few of the questions I have. If I become a pain in the butt-stock with questions please let me know I have thick skin.

Thanks,
Pat

[Autumn Daze]

Pat,For me anyway if a stock has been repaired it will absolutley detract from the value.One reason for me anyway is because I didn,t have it done so I don,t know how well it was done.So i have to ask myself"am I buying somedody else's problem?"Barrels do not always have the weep hole put in them.If barrels look wavy or severly polished especially on the lower grade guns I suspect rebluing. The old adage here is if they look to good compared to the rest of the gun then I suspect a reblue.I don,t like altered bores or chambers and that is THE first thing I look for. Most of these old guns have tight chokes and I just load suitable ammo for them.Long chambers is a deal killer for me.And you are not being a pain this is what we are here for....

[Brian Dillard]

I'll second the comment on "favorite gun". Far and away my go to gun is an 1892 DH with "cut" damascus barrels, everything else is just like it left the factory. I love everything about it...however, it's a shooter and not a collectable as mentioned above.

So at the end of the day the question is, what are you going to do with the gun that makes the purchase worth while.

Brian

[Greg Miller]

Some late remington parkers will come from the factory with weep holes. I believe these were the Ilion made guns. From a collector standpoint, a high grade gun with original blue is certainly desirable, but having said that if the blue is correct rust blue, well done by a professional, it is not to my mind a reason to walk away if the price is fair. And, you need to look on the Barrel flats for factory repairs, as Remington did offer reblue and this is factory work as Remington owned Parker after 1934. So, weep holes are a flag, but then you need to ask why.

As to collectibles, there remains a lot of value in quality damascus guns, and with light loads many are perfectly shootable with modern nitro shells. Confer with your gunsmith, but there are some wonderful DH and higher grade damascus guns around which to my mind are underpriced by the market. Purdey and Greener are now offering new guns with Damascus barrels and this may be the next big thing in collectibles. And, a nice 1890s Damascus DH is a lovely gun for reasonable money.

Things I look for are clean screws i.e. have not been gouged by a poor fitting screw driver. All numbers match, including on stock under the trigger tang. Good lock up/on face and for me most importantly that the stock has dimensions I can shoot. Most of us shoot our Parkers, and a gun that fits you is unique to you. I have a PH16 where the bores were honed and the chokes opened. But,it had plenty of metal for safety remaining and it fit me well. I like long barrels and 30" barrels are scarce on a PH16. Bought in on the spot. What is it worth? I guess the better question is what is it worth to me. It crushes clay pigeons on the trap field, swings wonderfully and it is light enough to be a pleasure for upland bird.

I think the starting point for any new collector is to first buy a copy of the two volume set- The Parker Story. Read the books and then enter the hobby as a knowlegable buyer. They are available through the Double Gun Journal.

Welcome.