Parker case colors

[John Bastiani]

Is there any one person or persons who can positively identify original case colors on Parkers? I have found that of all the case colored guns that Parkers seem to be the hardest to tell if the case colors are original.

[Dean Romig]

Please show us some pictures of the gun you’re wondering about.

Often times the condition of the entire gun when the originality of case colors may be in question gives us a better idea.





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[Reggie B]

I was told a long time ago that you can spot counterfeit $100 dollar bills by studying originals. If you spend time and effort looking at the originals the counterfeit bills just jump out at you. I think that is pretty true with original Parkers or anything else really. Study the originals and the non-originals jump out at you. My opinion only.

[Dean Romig]

That’s true Reggie but a lot easier to do on Trojan through G grades but when you get up into the more highly engraved guns it becomes more difficult. But still, to the practiced eye it can be done.





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[John Bastiani]

Originally Posted by Dean Romig

Please show us some pictures of the gun you’re wondering about.

Often times the condition of the entire gun when the originality of case colors may be in question gives us a better idea.





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I'm not looking at any particular gun but am looking for somebody that knows what they are looking at when it comes to original case colors on Parkers. There seem to be very few out there that can distinguish between original guns and one that have been redone and used again and show wear. In one of my Parker books the author shows an original gun and one recased by Oscar Gaddy. I would bet that several would call the Gaddy gun original and I'm probably one of them. Parkers seem to be harder to tell if the colors are original then say Winchester or LC Smith. I just was wondering if there are any go to guys out there that can look at the colors and not hesitate and give an answer to originality. I'm just trying to be cautious before I make an expensive purchase in the future.

[Dean Romig]

John, I don't believe there is anybody who can say for certain, basing their reputation on their evaluation of the case colors on a particular Parker, whether the case colors are original or redone, unless it is blatantly obvious because of their non-conformity that they are not original.

There are certainly expert collectors in the PGCA who can nail it 99% of the time and I would certainly accept their assessment 99% of the time.

Best thing to do when the originality of a Parker's case colors is in question is to post pictures on this forum and ask for candid opinions from those in the know.






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[Alfred Greeson]

What he said......from following this forum for some time, I am afraid the guy you seek has passed on but there are those who would never call themselves experts but they would get my bet every time. If you could look back, I know this has been a subject before on this forum and characteristics of the appearance of original case colors are discussed.

[Dean Romig]

Charlie Price was such an expert. He wrote an article titled Parker Case Colors and it was published in Parker Pages Vol. 22, Issue 1, page 4. The article includes ome excellent color pictures.





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[Bruce Day]

Small bore Case colors

[Bruce Day]

And 12 ga.