How to pursue an appraisal?

[KCBabb]

Excuse me if this is the wrong place for this; direct me to the area which I should use if needed.

My mother is trying to determine the value of my late father's Parker shotgun, serial number 30554. He had attempted to do this several years ago but from what we can determine did not complete the task. She would also be interested in selling it to an interested party should that opportunity arise. I am trying to help her figure out how to do all of this, so please be patient.

To whom should I provide information, and what information is needed? Do I need to join the Association to facilitate this, or to simply advertise the gun? Is there a fee involved in an appraisal? If you can direct me to an area on this website which provides this type of information, feel free to do so.

Thank you very much for your assistance.

[Big Friend Ten (BFT)]

KC,

To sell a gun on this forum one must be a member of the Parker Gun Collector's Association (PGCA). The annual membership fee is $40.

An appraisal of your gun would require detailed photos. Since you intend to sell the gun you will need to join the PGCA. The members would do this for free as they often do. Our members know Parkers and their market value.

Your gun is:

Grade 0
Plain Twist 32" Barrels
10 gauge
Straight Grip
Top Action (External Hammers)

This was the lowest grade Parker and today are common. If it is in near new condition it may bring $2000 to $3000. Most Grade 0 Parkers were hard hunted and worn. The value may be $100 to $3000 with most examples we see being worth $500 to $1500. The difference between a $1500 and $3000 Grade 0 10 gauge may not be noticeable to the untrained eye.

Please consider joining the PGCA. The free assessment is worth far more than the membership fee.

Mark

[Autumn Daze]

KC, value is based on three things condition,condition,condition. The PGCA is not in the business of appraising guns and you would better served by having a reputable auction house appraise your gun. Members here can only give you an opinion based on your clear/detailed photographs. Also nothing beats having the gun in hand as many things are undetectable from even the best pictures.Opinions on a guns condition on the internet are worth what you pay for them. This was not mean't to slight anyone and it's just the way it is.

[KCBabb]

Thank you for the information. We are located in the Pacific Northwest (near Seattle) and have not had any luck finding anyone here who is qualified to make such an appraisal. If you can recommend someone that would be very helpful. My father's assessment of the condition was "fair"; it is intact but clearly was used and could use an expert restoration.

[Big Friend Ten (BFT)]

KC,

My apologies for Autumn Daze is correct. We cannot give you an appraisal, only our combined opinions.

A fair condition Grade 0 is not going to pay the mortgage. It might be worth more as a family heirloom.

If there are any PGCA members close to you maybe you could meet them so that they may look over the gun. Give this thread a few days and maybe one will respond.

I just would not want you to sell it to a local gun shop for $200 and they flip it for $1500.

Mark

[wayne goerres]

You might try kirby hoit at vintage doubles. he is in washington,jusr type in vintage doubles for the contact info.

[Wild Skies]

Some are you are probably scratching your head trying to figure out why you were thanked for your post. Well, it happened accidentally, I was reading your posts on my iPad and right where the Thanks button is located is where my thumb hits the screen to move the page up. It's happened several times now, on this and other threads. Sorry and Thanks!

[ed good]

KC: a good way these days to determine the retail value of a collectible firearm is to post it on gunbroker.com with lots of digital pictures. the world wide market there will tell you what your gun is worth. private message me if you need additional info.

[Paul P.]

KC, there is a gun/pawn shop in Bothel, Wa. that may be able to help you. I can't remember the name but have purchased a Parker there before. If you ask almost any gun shop or pawn shop in the Seattle area about vintage gun sales, they will give you the shop name. This is how I found them on a Thanksgiving vacation last year.
P.S. goin up with us here at PGCA. you wony be dissapointed.
also your gun sounds interesting.

[Paul P.]

KC, I just found the name of the gun shop in Bothel. DJs gun and sport.