Bruce has brought up a great point in Parker collecting, even though some collectors don't follow his suggestions. As a result of keeping my nose to the ground and paying the price asked for the gun I was offered, I have brought several guns into my shooting collection. My VH 28 was bought on a skeet field from another teenager in 1960 for $130, an amount which would buy him what he wanted, a Savage Model 99 to hunt whitetails in MD. My wonderful VH 20 was bought at a MD auction for a reasonable amount, $800, and is now Rich Anderson's "Gunner's Gun". My GHE 16 was bought at a 1971 PA auction for $225 with other educated collectors in attendance, but many other great guns competing for attention. So the GHE slipped away from other bidders. My VH 12 was bought from another bidder at the same sale for $225 because she was intrigued that "I like Parkers and she had one that her husband was not shooting any more". That was my entire Parker hunting arsenal for a lifetime, total cost $1380, 12, 16, 20, and 28 gauge. Except for the "Gunner's Gun", all sellers were people that I met, spoke to, shared information with, and added to the history of the guns. Even "Gunner's Gun" was from a local family whose home I pass several times a week. All but "Gunner's Gun" are still being shot regularly and will remain in my collection forever. Oddly, no gun show or internet finds in my hunting arsenal. Thanks, Bruce, for the idea for this post.
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