Parker Hammerless Double Barrel

[Coach]

Jim,

My personal opinion, for whatever it's worth, is that this gun is looks like exactly what it is. It looks its age and has earned its stripes. Aside from cleaning, oiling the metal and waxing the wood anything you do to it, like refinishing the stock, repointing the checking, etc. will just throw the whole appearance thing out of whack. I recommend conservation rather than remediation. Since there is nothing broken, it is unlikely that what you spend to remediate will increase its value.

For a complete refinishing you could spend $3 to $4,000 and you would end up with a spiffy looking gun that is worth little (or no) more than what it is now. I found this out for myself.

I have a 16 ga. VHE that is in very similar condition to your 20. It will not receive any "reconditioning" as long as I have it. I'm proud to carry it into the field and the doves are just as dead when I do my part.

Good luck,
Carl.

[John D.]

Hi Jim!

I agree 100% with Carl... Let the old gal just do what she does best.. Since you replied to me that the stock isn't cracked (sorry, my interpretation of one of the pics - but I did say "...If it was.." repaired (<--- my disclaimer - I always add those )...

My opinion - if this was mine - is I wouldn't refinish anything... Like Carl said - if you refinish the stock, the receiver will look "off".. If you do the stock & receiver - the barrels will look "off"..??

My estimate still stands on your Parker with the non-cracked stock.. She's won her wounds.. Enjoy them for what they are..!

Best to you!

John