Recommendations from senior collectors to a novice wanted.

[Kevin McCormack]

Randy as I recall the rib legend was hand-engraved. Also the doll's head rib extension was profiled to meet the curvature of the breech balls and the groove in the rib extension was shorter and cut deeper than the later factory rib installation of later VR guns which were longer and flatter across the top of the breech.

[Kevin McCormack]

[QUOTE=Dave Noreen;417400]Cannot be so. To be a .45-90 it would have to be an 1886. The largest thing the Model 1876 came in was the much shorter .45-75, and the Model 1873 was made for the much shorter .44-40 and .38-40 with the .32-20 being added in 1882.

Yeah Dave, I am likely off by 10 model years here; mostly likely an 1886.

[Andy]

I don't follow any sort of logical step in burning through wads of cash, though many do. I've seen it like this:

One may collect grades such as DHE's in various gauges
One may collect just small bores or large bores or hammers..etc

I primarily buy "shooters" that are between $1,500 and $5,000 and I shoot them a lot and hunt with them. They are not going to win beauty prizes but they have never failed me. In hindsight I somehow accumulated a bakers dozen of the damn things and half of those are 16g on the light 0 frame. So I think that will be my focus going forward. Just be forwarned even if you don't have the money you will find the money to keep buying them, just tell yourself it isn't gambling or crack cocaine. It will help you sleep at night.

[Bill Murphy]

I don't understand all of Andy's post, but I understand his collecting of hunting guns. Over the years, I have accidentally come into a large covey of better than hunting guns. I will never dispose of my more than sufficient collection of hunting and shooting guns, but those "better than hunting" guns will be disposed of in the next few years. They are better appreciated by younger and richer collectors who can write the checks and end up trying to dispose of them when they reach my age.

[Mike of the Mountain]

James, welcome to the addiction!! Follow the advice of asking question and attending shows and shoots. Local auctions and classified sections of the newspaper are good sources to find a sleeper that won't break the bank. There's nothing wrong with higher grade guns but do not discount Trojan, V and G grades. They are solid guns and will break clays and take game with any other gun out there. They're easier on the wallet too. Just sayin'. I buy like Andy does, just more frequently!! Solid shooters that have honest wear. I don't care if a gun is refinished either as I shoot them. I shoot them a lot. I don't buy safe queens or collector pieces. I do prefer longer barrels for my clays guns so that's what I look for in a Parker. Not so much with my hunting guns. And yes, I buy guns for clays and different guns for hunting. As I said, welcome to the addiction!! If you invest in a PGCA membership, you'll find so much info on this site that it can make your head spin. You will also find some fine Parkers for sale in the members only sections. Once again, welcome to the addiction. Next thing you need are Hawaiian shirts. All the cool kids wear them on Friday during a shoot. Just sayin'.

[Tracy Pellett]

James , since you want to shoot I would recommend have a professional gun fitter determine what stock dimensions fit you. That will help you narrow your search .

[William Davis]

Camp Lajune your not far from MidSouth Guns in Wagram NC. I bought my first Parker from Philip Futrel there. He told me to pick one out,lay it on the back table, then another and a third. Three out remove the gun I liked the least and replace it with one off the rack.Keep it up one gun will stay and the one to buy. After a dozen others later,n some from Mid South I still have it and it’s my favorite shooter. Nice condition 30 inch VH 12.

It’s a amazing shop last visit several years ago he had over 100 Parker’s on the wall racks. Equal number of LC Smith. Smaller amount of Ithaca’s and Fox’s. Entire right side of the shop wall racks with American SxS guns with a few nice Model 12’s. Left side European SxS guns mixed with O/U’s and a few European Autos. Berettas and Browning’s

Floor racks center of the shop mostly racked vintage rifles, in closed cases pistols. There is a section for black and camo plastic it’s not very big.

More you look better you will buy. Spend the winter with Mid South be ready for the Spring SxS in Sanford NC with a much larger selection to choose from. This long answer sounds too good to be true, get your wife to pull Mid South up on Facebook & look at the photos.

William

[James Clarke]

William thanks for the suggestion I forgot to mention but should have in my original post that I don't know of any gunshops nearby that sell fine doubles. Several places up by where my wife is from in south western Michigan like Vintage Firearms, Bachelder to name a few. I'll have to swing by MidSouth when I get a chance.

[Mills]

Mid South Guns is a must if you are in the area. Their prices are mostly high, but you can find some decent deals if you look. And looking is the fun part!

[Craig Larter]

Easy to buy, hard to sell. Buy the best original condition Parker you can afford. Find a experienced collector to hold your hand. Go slow, become a student before you part with cash.