Upgraded Parkers, Lesson 1

[Big Friend Ten (BFT)]

James,

I would need better photos to give an opinion.

Any upgrade would have an artistic value but little to no collector value. How much is the artistic value worth? That is up to you and whoever else appreciates the beauty of it.

If the subject gun of this thread is indeed an Angelo Bee engraved Parker then it has extra value because of that. The same goes for the Pachmyer upgraded Parkers.

Back to #204212, that engraving and stock work would cost more than $12000 plus the cost of the gun. Lets say at $15000 to have a gun like that done but add a little more because it is an Angelo Bee gun.

The gun you posted is a maybe $2500 (more if its a 0 frame) VH 16 with $xxxx worth of engraving. If you love the engraving then it is worth the total cost to you. It is probably not worth that too someone who does not love the engraving. Why? Because the next guy could get the same gun with same engraving for the same cost. Or, for that same cost could have something special engraved for them.

Mark

[C.O.B.]

Mark the gun you showed is engraved by Angelo Bee weather this adds any value or not is debatable.

I have a couple of upgrade/custom Parkers the first and formost is Gunner's Parker a custom gun I did for me and me alone. If I needed to sell this tomorrow (oh the horror!) would I get my money out of it...probably not. The Hollywood gun is't factory either but it follows Parker lines as does the recent AAHE 28.

IMHO IF your going to buy/build a non factory Parker or any other gun for that matter the first person it must satisfy is the one shelling out the cash, resale is not something to be considered. I believe I can get my money back and maybe some more from either the Hollywood gun or the AAHE 28. Gunner's PArker is special to me and me alone and I'm fine with that.

Don't let the beauty of an upgraded gun cloud you sense of value. Each gun should be based on the merits of the base gun then consider the nice engraveing and pretty wood.