What do I have here?

[Paul P.]

I agree with Edgar. Or is it Tedgar, I forget. That gun is to nice to let go for a $600.00 store credit. The salesman knows what you have, and what it's worth.
Also the family history is priceless. Please clean it and shoot it. I would.

[edgarspencer]

What your gun is worth is what you would take for it, but all you need to do is go on one of the G sites (Guns America, Guns International, and Gun Broker) and see what 'like guns are being offered. I think you'll find that the asking prices for a Grade 2 hammer gun on a 1 frame are listed for more than your 'ball park valuation'.
As for what to shoot, RST Maxi-Lites are ideal for it.
I'd recommend that you give yourself a Christmas present of an annual membership in the PGCA, and get a letter on the gun. Just because the serial number doesn't show up in the serialization book doesn't mean that there isn't info on the gun.
Any additional fishing for a valuation will begin to smell like a solicitation ,and possibly get the thread deleted.

[B. Dudley]

Yes, very nice gun. Do not ever count on any local gun shop to give you an accurate figure when asking about value. I find it funny how they would not comment on value, but only give credit.

[OH Osthaus]

"Now, I am not planing on selling it because it has been in the family for a bit, but I would like to know what something like this is worth and what it would sell for."

although I like buying old guns - I really hope you stick to the first part of that sttement and this piece of family history sees future generations past you. what a great gun to be the caretaker of.

the serial number is not in the "book" but 30 inches is a common length, how are the bores - any pitting, and if so how much.

I would be careful cleaning it - since it has a good look as is.

insure it for a little more than the highest estimate you get here,

[J.Fife]

I try to find out the name and any info on the person.
So the consensus is one in this condition would generally sell for around $1000-$1200?

Also, what "off the shelf" shells can I shoot through it safely?

Thanks everyone.

[J.Fife]

Thank you to all who have offed some insight. Like I mentioned in the first post, I am not interested in selling the gun. I just wanted an opinion on value for insurance reasons, along with the fact that I just want to know what I had acquired (being this is my first Parker).

Although I am not interested in putting many rounds through it, I will look for some RST Maxi-Lites. I am a little curious how this shoots. Thanks for the recommendation.

Again, thanks for the help.

[edgarspencer]

You can buy directly from RST.

http://www.rstshells.com/

[Richard Flanders]

I'd have to be pretty hungry to sell that for $1200, especially if it was a family gun with some history. It looks like a very nice and very shootable gun that any of us would love to own.

[Dunnigun]

I agree with all the above, particularly Messrs. Flanders and Dudley. The owner, by offering store credit for the gun, is probably clipping you for at least 40%, thus paying a measley $360 for the gun. As judge Judy would say 'OUTRAGEOUS'.

AND, there is no way I'd sell a family heirloom (that cheap) nice as that gun is.

Shoot the hell out of it, use RST's, and don't worry about diminishing its value by using it. That's what I do with my (only) Parker anyway. If you start shooting it....bet you'll want another. I sure do.

[J.Fife]

Originally Posted by Brian Stucker

The owner, by offering store credit for the gun, is probably clipping you for at least 40%, thus paying a measley $360 for the gun. As judge Judy would say 'OUTRAGEOUS'.

Agreed. I wasn't looking to sell the gun to him, but rather get an estimate of it's value. Which he couldn't do.