Rock Island Auction and Parker prices

[Bruce Day]

Justin, some points in response to your thoughts.

1. There is a new edition of the Blue Book of Gun Values that became available in April. PGCA board member Bill Mullins has for many years been the contributor for Parker values and I know from personal conversations with publisher Steve Fjestad that he believes the Parker values are accurately represented and researched. Steve believes the market is strong for high quality guns but is soft for common guns. My personal view is that many people overstate the condition of their guns. The Blue Book provides that for Parkers condition is of high importance and significantly affects value.

2. Highly regarded gun auctioner Jim Julia has said that with respect to his most recent auction in which a number of high grade Parkers were offered, that " PEOPLE WERE THROWING MONEY AT GOOD GUNS". The gavel prices on those guns were extraordinarily high. We talked to Julia representatives recently and they confirmed that their market is very strong.

3. Friends in the gun business have remarked to me that business is very good on high quality collector grade guns, including Parkers. The market for lesser guns continues to be soft.

4. While it is anecdotal only, I was told in a conversation with a Colt's Mfg Co supervisor that wait times for custom engraved guns will be close to one year, and that their regular production guns are allocated far in advance.

5. Dealer friends at the March Tulsa gun show, one of the largest in the country, told me they did well and sold guns. One said that the market has returned.

6. At the recent NRA convention ( 70,000 to 80,000 attendance) manufacturers such as Remington, Ruger and Browning mentioned to me that interest was strong and people were in a buying mood.

[Fritz Dornan]

I was on the phone for the 12 ga CH and the 16 CHE both of which sold for $4250 as noted. I was next in line for both guns. The 16 CHE 32 inch barrel gun was hard to say no to...I just could not do it. The top rib was drilled in 2 places one of the holes was in the address. When they described the gun prioir to the auction there were other issues as well. I think if it were in a little bit better condition it could have been shot without any additional money spent on it and the price would have been higher. It could have been made into a nice gun but it would have taken some money.. The top rib would have been tough to overcome though. Who ever bought it got a really rare Parker that if restored will be very nice.

Fritz