SN research - 28 gauge bh with ejectors (BHE)

[willardshepherd]

very simple engraved plate - gift from my great grandmother (HLS) to her husband (WLS), dated 1936. Also including picture of forend loop - seems to be reinforced. Was hoping to locate engraver signature to confirm Runge's work. Any suggestions where i might look; no luck thus far - looking for RPR or other telltale signs.

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[willardshepherd]

thank you for all your responses. Yes, i did post the incorrect sn. Correct number is 239065, 28" barrel acme, 00 frame, all original (never restored or turned) besides recoil pad (of the era) and small plaque (from my great grandmother to great grandfather). Barrel never modified or cut. Bluing still apparent, overall condition very good. I'm posting several pics - please any feedback is welcome. I'd be interested in learning if this could truly be (1) of (13) Parker 28 gauge BHE. Also, opinions on value; i understand the bluebook but hows the market and level of interest on a gun such as this? Again, thank you all for your comments. I'm going to move forward on certification letter.

[Dean Romig]

Mr. Shepherd,

Your family heirloom has all the hallmarks of an original small-bore, high grade Parker shotgun. Make no mistake... it is original. For guns like yours there is always a great deal of interest and the market will always be very strong. It is a very valuable gun and like all 'works of art' it should be insured against theft and loss at a high auction estimate.
Being a family heirloom, my guess is that you have no intent to sell it but if that thought ever crosses your mind you should consign it to a highly respected auction house to realize its full $$ potential.

[C grade]

I completely agree with Dean, which I usually do. That is a fantastic Parker and very valuable. I would not dare guess at the value without actually inspecting the gun but north of $75,000. I am not a big fan of selling a gun like that at an auction but many are. I have seen too many great guns sell at auction for much less that they are worth. I would offer it up for private sale if it was mine. I like to control where a gun that special goes as well as get a fair price. If you were to bring that gun to this years Spring SXS at Sanford you would be able to present it to the top Parker collectors ever gathered thanks to the Parker Foundation.
David

[John Davis]

The only way I'd ever part with that gun was if one of my daughters needed an operation and I couldn't afford it otherwise. The wife, on the other hand, would be out of luck.

[Fishtail]

It's a sweet little gun, for sure, but I think it was Mr. Murphy who once posted something along the lines of "there are B grades and then there are B grades....."

[B. Dudley]

Thank you for clarifying the serial number. I could not clearly make out the number from the barrels in the photo. I did have a hard time believing it was an upgrade.

What is the LOP on that buttstock? It looks long. But that might be due to how small the frame is.
What a great gun!
Werent people looking for good examples of Runge engraving?

[Dean Romig]

Originally Posted by Brian Dudley

Werent people looking for good examples of Runge engraving?

Right Brian - that may very well have been engraved by Robert Runge. It has all the earmarks that we associate with his work.

[Bill Murphy]

I agree with Mr. C Grade on the assessment of value. If you would post pictures of the front of the forend and the bottom of the barrels between the forend lug and the breech, we could give you a bit more information. Join the PGCA and your letter will be cheaper and you will have access to more information as well as the real names of the posters on the website. You have a wonderful gun. Can we also have a good picture of the inscription of your Grandparents?

[Dean Romig]

I agree with Bill Murphy that the forend is completely original. Like Bill, I had an AHE .410 forend checkered almost exactly like yours including those stylized flourishes and embellishments. However.... we should see an options code of 13 on this gun instead of the 5 shown in the ID & Ser book. A PGCA Research Letter on your gun should tell all.