Are opinion changing on restoring a shotgun?

[Paul Stafford III]

As I am a young collector, compared to most of the experts in this forum. People will pay whatever the price if they want the gun bad enough, so called original, or restored. There are many qualified Parker gunsmiths in our member base. It's my opinion that none of them would perform work to intentionally devalue a prized Parker.

On a side note:
I have several Parkers that were sent back (PGCA letter noted), things changed, refinished, replaced ect. Why?? Obviously the original caretakers wanted the guns to fit their use and lifestyle. Does this mean we should not enjoy them? Clean 100 years of crud off the stocks to see the beautiful wood below? Refinish the Damascus to see the original pattern that once was..??

I think we would all love to have an un-touched, all original never fired Parker. The reality of this idea is only for a limited number of collectors. I shoot my Parkers all of the time, care for them and most of all admire them. A Trojan can make me smile as much as an A grade, it's all about what you love and appreciate.

I'll now step off my soapbox.....

[C.O.B.]

[QUOTE=Paul Stafford]I think we would all love to have an un-touched, all original never fired Parker. QUOTE]

Paul I'll pass on one of those. I have had NIB Pre 64 Winchester M70's, a couple of Repo's and a Colt Diamondback 22 which I still have. The NIB doesn't interest me in the least as a big dollar is paid and it can't be used. The gun is destined to be a closet queen forever and I like to use my guns. I have a couple with lots of original case color and if I wear some off using the gun it will be the next caretaker's delima.

[Paul Stafford III]

[QUOTE=Rich Anderson;115084]

Originally Posted by Paul Stafford

I think we would all love to have an un-touched, all original never fired Parker. QUOTE]

Paul I'll pass on one of those. I have had NIB Pre 64 Winchester M70's, a couple of Repo's and a Colt Diamondback 22 which I still have. The NIB doesn't interest me in the least as a big dollar is paid and it can't be used. The gun is destined to be a closet queen forever and I like to use my guns. I have a couple with lots of original case color and if I wear some off using the gun it will be the next caretaker's delima.

What I meant is I would enjoy it, unfired or not. Leaving a gun in a closet for a hundred years, is not how the Parker family intended us to enjoy their fine craftsmenship. I know that this thinking is "against the grain". I hope to have 40+ more years of collecting but Life is short! Do you want to have memories of taking your prized Parker out and enjoying it, or just a memory of putting it in a closet or a safe....

I choose to use and enjoy them...

Just an opinion...

[Parker Bachelder (Brad's Profile)]

Kensal
To clarify my use of the word "preservation", wood and metal finishes are used to preserve structural integrity in their respective applications. With time and use these finishes degrade, exposing the wood and metal to accelerated degrading. Restoration halts the accelerated degrading process there by preserving the structural integrity of both the wood and metal.

Brad

[Paul Stafford III]

Originally Posted by Brad Bachelder

Kensal
To clarify my use of the word "preservation", wood and metal finishes are used to preserve structural integrity in their respective applications. With time and use these finishes degrade, exposing the wood and metal to accelerated degrading. Restoration halts the accelerated degrading process there by preserving the structural integrity of both the wood and metal.

Brad

Well said...