Grade 7 Pigeon Gun - Page 5

B. Dudley · 12-29-2011, 03:01 PM

Let me guess, your local gun shop offered you $500 or something for it. lol. I know of a few that might do such a thing.

As long as the bores are not in VERY bad shape by way of HEAVY pitting, and the ribs are not separated, shoot away. Try to stay away from shells over 3 dram equ. or buy some low pressure RST loads and you will be ready to go. Would not hurt to have a competant gunsmith look at the barrels if you do not know what to look for.

To check for loose top or bottom ribs, apart from looking at them... Hang the barrels off your finger and knock at them in a few places with your nuckle. You should get a nice "ring" tone out of them. That tells you that everything is tight and "One" piece. If it sounds like more of a dull clang, then you have a rib loose.

The witworth steel was Parkers highest quality steel offered and was imported from Europe. So they are by all means up to snuff to todays standards on even cheap guns. That is if they are in good condition.

B. Dudley · 12-29-2011, 03:04 PM

Am I correct in saying that this AAH was made before the first A-1 Special was made?? I do not have my reference material handy.

So, basically at the time of manufacture, this gun may have been the Finest that Parker had to offer.

Stephen Lyons · 12-29-2011, 03:24 PM

I think that is true, or at least someone said so, and the shop didnt even ask to buy it or offer anything. Probably because i said it was sentimental and they seem like good people. A gunsmith had looked at it, he is older and i asked him just to put some light oil on it and clean it a little. He didnt do much he said because he said it was a valuable gun and he didnt want to ruin its value or add a butt stock or anything. He knew it was special before i did.

Ray Masciarella · 12-29-2011, 06:14 PM

What a great gun. It was a very expensive gun new and I'm glad some got their monies worth! IMHO, the only way to restore it is to bring it back to original factory condition. Anything else would probably be a waste of money, ie not increase it's value. That would be very expensive. Far more then the $5000 estimate. Based on what engraving are charging today, picking up the engraving on this gun would probably exceed $5000! Just keep it safe and do it right when you have the cash. Good luck.

Best, Ray

Stephen Lyons · 12-29-2011, 06:46 PM

Yes I will do so, ill keep on this forum and maybe about four years from now ill put some before and after pictures, that would be nice. For now i think ill shoot it a little, too tempting not too.

Dean Romig · 12-29-2011, 10:09 PM

Stephen, one of them lives in Connecticut and the other in southeastern Massachusetts. They're getting along in years and may not be in the business in four years but who knows... maybe they will be. The tricky part that requires an expert is welding up the pitted and excessively worn areas and then reengraving them to look exactly as when it left the factory.

Stephen Lyons · 12-30-2011, 12:16 AM

I really wish i could just do it now, but i just dont have that money going into collage. Maybe if i sold some things, but even than i might bring 2,000 with all i could think of. Cant sell my truck haha. Trust me i would pull the trigger right away on restoring it, maybe ill find a way.

Big Friend Ten (BFT) · 12-30-2011, 06:40 AM

Stephen,

Having to wait a few years before restoring your family treasure may well be good fortune. We all have our favorite gunsmiths who we would recommend to restore your historical piece of art. Take your time learning about Parker guns. Get to know the members of the PGCA and they will share information with you. Attend a big SxS shoot or two per year. I go to Hausman's Hidden Hollow in northeast Pennsylvania where there is a large band of Parker guys and gals that readily accept new guys like me. The Southern SxS in North Carolina is a bigger event held in April and would closer to you than Hidden Hollow. Anyway, having face to face conversations with Parker collectors where they can examine your gun will be a great investment in time and money. Plus, if you do not have a great time at these shoots you are not human!

Ask the more experienced collectors of who could restore your Pigeon Gun accurately. For certain your gun needs to be restored accurately to how it looked when it was sold. Also inquire about the cost of such restoration and the time required. A year for this gun would not be unreasonable. Most good gunsmiths are backed up 6 months to years for their restorations. I do however think that most would fit an AAH Pigeon Gun into their schedule because your gun is so rare. As for cost, once again ask the PCGA members. An inaccurate or mediocre restoration would be a waste of money because anyone that could afford a restored Pigeon Gun would want it to be accurately restored so that their peers would marvel at how the gun would look like it had just left the factory at Meridian. Remember the for restoration to consider the factors of Skill, Accuracy, Time, Cost, and to a lesser degree, Market Reputation.

So, take your time. Do not let any gunsmith touch your gun, even for a simple repair, unless the "Parker Guys" approve of their work. Do no damage. By the time you have saved enough to pay for a restoration you should have gained enough knowledge and have a few Parker mentors to guide you toward making the correct decision.

Respectfully,
Mark

B. Dudley · 12-30-2011, 06:41 AM

Any of us on here would attest to the fact that there is nothing wrong with leaving something be as is for a while. Even thought it may itch at us. The hard part is over for you, and that is just having possesion of it.

And believe me, to expand on Mark's comment above, a correct restoration will show it's benefits if the gun were ever sold. You would be surprised how easy it will be to get top dollar for it.

Big Friend Ten (BFT) · 12-30-2011, 06:53 AM

Brian,

Thanks! As for fine collectables like Parkers, many of us may someday have to thin our heards. At ninety years old I''ll probably be down to a but a few of my favorites. If at that time I needed $XXXXX to pay for my or a family member's medical bills, my most prised Parkers might have to be sold. That is when a perfect restoration will afford me not only the restoration cost but also the appropriate time value of money.

Mark