Grade 7 Pigeon Gun

[JLoew]

Stephen,

Congrats on the wise decision to become a PGCA member. I hope you will find that shooting and owning a Parker shotgun is one of the great joys in your life. I'm 32 and have been a PGCA member since I was in college as well. Now I'm on the board of directors!

Best of luck with your gun. I am sure you have gotten several offers to buy it by now. It is really a treat to see such a high grade gun with workmanship like the one you have. It is a treasure.

[Buddy Marson]

Steven, Take this from an old guy who has been down this road. Don't get hung up on having someone local (Florida?) to do the work required. Seek out the best craftsman for engraving, barrel work, metal work, and wood work. Send the gun to them. They deserve and earn what they charge for their high quality of work! You will always appreciate best quality of work long, long after you forgot what you paid to have it done.
All the best,
Buddy

[Dean Romig]

I would guess, in that condition, probably around $5K. It needs a lot of work to bring it back to its former glory... and it was a glorious Parker!! Very desirable but...

[B. Dudley]

Another one who lucked out... Someone who doesn't know much about guns, let alone Parkers gets passed down an AAH Pigion Gun. I think that your $5k estimate is low. Maybe not for the condition it is in, but surely after any quality restoration. Just to give you an idea, The book value for this in Good to Very good condition (which it would be if a top notch restoration is done) is $18k-$25k. Fair Condition is $10k. And Poor is $1,000. I would call this one between poor and Fair.

It would be very interesting for you to learn where your great grandfater got the gun from considering that this would have been a VERY expensive gun when it was new.

[Ed Blake]

It's worth a bit more than 5k and it may cost close to that amount to have it properly restored. You've got a real gem.

[Dean Romig]

Originally Posted by Ed Blake

It's worth a bit more than 5k and it may cost close to that amount to have it properly restored. You've got a real gem.

Ed, it will cost a bit more than $5K to restore that gun properly, IMHO.

[Dean Romig]

Probably the most important thing after determining that the barrel wall thickness and condition of the bores doesn't sound the death knell on it is to have the metal work, e.g. the pitted ribs, pitted and worn frame etc., restored and reengraved by an expert in this field (we can name a few) and then finished properly before the wood issues are addressed.

[Stephen Lyons]

Like I said im positive he didnt get it new, and he didnt have money, just knew he went hunting at least once a week more likely more lol Anyhow I cant wait to get it restored but im young and dont have that kind of money, one day i would love to, but i dont want someone to mess it up so when the time comes id rather pay up.

[Pa SxS]

Anyone have any idea how the engraving on the receiver would get so worn? Would normal hunting cause so much wear? I can understand the rib matting and lettering being buffed down when reblueing but the wear on the receiver is extreme.

Stephen a research letter will give you information from factory records which are available for your gun. Go to the PGCA Home page and click on the Research Letter link and follow the directions. More than likely, it will tell you who bought the gun new and any subsequent returns for repair.

[alan kirchner]

Brian
I think a lot of high end parker's get handed down. I had two handed down to me both broken a Trojen 12 gauge and a AHE 28 both with broken stocks. I still haven't been able to get the 28 fixed. That's a story for another thread.