William,
I've looked at that CHE on Gun Broker several times during the past 6 to 12 months. I have wondered why it has not sold. That fact alone makes me cautious.
It is a 16 gauge which is good as concerned to value. It has 30 inch barrels on a 1 1/2 frame which makes it a "big" 16 gauge. Most want a small frame and light 16 gauge. I do however think that it is a neat gun!
The seller states that,
"I have a letter from the family that I received this gun from stating that Albert Bacon Fall gave this shotgun to the grandfather of this person after losing his temper at a turkey shoot blaming the shotgun on his misses"
A letter from someone stating that... I do not think that I'd pay extra for unsubstantiated provenance. What would a Parker Research Letter reveal?
This Parker, number 191708 was manufactured in 1920 which is near the time when "The investigation found Fall guilty of conspiracy and bribery, $385,000 having been paid to him" Maybe he bought the CHE with some of the bribe money?
This gun has some possible provenance that may connect it to a crooked politician.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Albert_B._Fall
The price of $7200, regardless of provenance or not, looks reasonable. Is has been for sale for some time so it is not a "steal". I am not a 16 gauge collector so if I were interested I would ask COB, Opening Day, Dean, Dave M. and other Parker smallbore collectors to advise me. Also, Bruce D. is a well known C Grade PGCA member whose advice I would welcome.
Are there any 16 Gauge Society members out there?
Mark
Threaded Mode