VH 12 with Briley thin-walled tubes

[J. A. EARLY]

I believe in the Blue Book when it says 80% it is referring to case colors and a gun in that condition should have 95% + blue and wood. There should be a footnote that explains that. An 80% case-colored gun is very rare. If it is all gone you are talking about a $1000 gun, +/- in my humble opinion. Photos and someone may p.m. you with a good opinion of value.

[Big Friend Ten (BFT)]

What the heck is football? This is a gun collecting forum.

Big Friend Ten is my DH 10 in darn fine condition! That name is more polite than its actual name of my Big F---ing Ten!

As for a Big Ten College, ya you bet ya! Parris Island and a decade later The Basic School for Marine Officers at Quantico Virginia. Are those big enough?

[Bill Murphy]

Grantham, go back and read your post referring to the Blue Book's failure to mention the "choke tube penalty" We answered your question, whether you realize it or not. Actually, an 80% VH 12 gauge is probably worth $5000 or more on today's market, unless it has choke tubes, in which case it would be worth about $1500. Your reference to "value added" was not part of the original question. The original question referred to "value decreased".

[Grantham Forester]

I am afraid I may have not completely understood your suggestion as to a re-reading of the Blue Book's details. If I understand you correctly, an 80$ conditioned 12 VH might be worth $5000 on today's market, and lose $3500 with the alteration of the Briley thin-walled tubes, is that the case. Wow- what a financial loss to the owner.

I just spoke with him, he bought this gun at a gun show about 5 years ago, sent it to Briley's for the tube(s) installation, and has the supporting documents-so if he wanted to sell it to any well versed Parker collector, he would take a "bath" akin to those late comers who invested with Bernie Madoff? Wow- and wow again.

He is going to give the serial number(s), frame size, and with the A grade Fox- the barrel weight stamping number- and also similar details on a 12 DHE 30" F&F choked Parker he may think about selling- I shall also try to get some good detailed photos soon of these guns. Thanks again for your expertise and detailed explanations of current Parker gun values in today's market.

[Grantham Forester]

Originally Posted by Mark Ouellette

What the heck is football? This is a gun collecting forum.

Big Friend Ten is my DH 10 in darn fine condition! That name is more polite than its actual name of my Big F---ing Ten!

As for a Big Ten College, ya you bet ya! Parris Island and a decade later The Basic School for Marine Officers at Quantico Virginia. Are those big enough?

So, I just assumed when you mentioned the Big Ten- well- my bad I guess. I have never seen a Big Ten gauge double gun, from your photo, your gun is in fine condition. Why is the top opening lever have a slight bend in its shape?? A real piece of craftsmanship, all engraved and with the snake-like lines of a King Cobra!!

[Mike Murphy]

My take might be a bit different than most, but if you find a gun that you like, in great shape for a reasonable price and most importantly, that you shoot well - YOU BUY IT! Investment value is a secondary consideration.

[Grantham Forester]

Originally Posted by Michael Murphy

My take might be a bit different than most, but if you find a gun that you like, in great shape for a reasonable price and most importantly, that you shoot well - YOU BUY IT! Investment value is a secondary consideration.

The main focus of my questions here- what is the fair market value for this VH with the added Briley tubes. From all the well-informed answers I have read, it sounds like the gun is worth somewhat less than if the alteration had not been done. At least the barrels were NOT shortened..

[charlie cleveland]

i kinda figure old parkers are like old ford cars a rusty old parker will bring good money for the rite rusty old gun just like a rusty beatup old 34 ford roadster will bring a lot of change...charlie

[Ben Rawls]

I don't buy pristine guns. I like to shoot lots of shotguns and buying sound shooters lets me do that. I like to play with them and fettle them up a bit. I sold a very nice VH 12ga a few years ago for $1500. I'd put chokes in a "shooter" if I wanted to but I have discovered that many old guns shoot just fine if you look around for a load that does what you want. No real need to change chokes these days IMHO. I have a VHE from 1903 that I had recheckered but left the metal original. It is an English stocked 20ga 30" F/IC. I was somewhat upset by the chokes unitl my gunsmith(Henry Cheatham if any of you remember him) advised me that was the ideal quail gun in his opinion. Gun shoots very well and I think of Henry every fall when I take it out. Nicest thing about shooting old guns is the feeling of continuity with previous owners. As I remember I got the Parker and 5 Fox sterlingworths for $2200 There were 2 Philadelphia Gun Co guns in that mix. I kept the 16ga . My $.02.

[Jawjadawg]

I haven't been in to Parkers more than a couple of years, but I've had an interest in vintage guns for a long time. I think I can honestly say I have never seen an 80 percent Parker on the open market outside of a Julia's auction. I'll even go so far to say you probably cannot find one for sale on the internet. There might be one or two that can be found at one of the more exclusive gun shops. What is even more rare than the gun is the person who is knowledgeable enough to accurately place condition at 80%, AND, pays the money to acquire that condition, but who would then be foolish enough to install choke tubes. That's the real head shaker to me. My guess would be the choke tubes were the second mistake.

On a side note, I've seen a lot of 80% refinished guns. Those are usually grossly overvalued.