Value

[Mark Callanan]

Thanks all for your thoughts
How about buying one restored
So the value or buying restored VRS original one ?
What % should one deduct of a restored Parker

[Hammer Gun]

Mark, I will jump in with my two cents, First the number of original in every way guns are rare, yes I said rare, they will always demand a higher price in this condition, now you have to look at guns that are high grade one of a kind etc, but that have had a hard life or have a few problems, like cracked stock, damascus barrels that may need a face lift or a dent taken out. In my opinion a gun with problems as above need to be fixed, you still have the original parts, now if a stock replacement is needed that changes things, the gun is no longer original, many guns were sent back to Parker to be "cleaned up". I think that original guns in great condition are so few and far between they are in a class by themselves, so original guns top price in any grade, refinished guns in higher grades same price or more than high grades with problems, lower grade guns, I refinish if they are fairly rare, I have a 20 ga gun that was the first 20gauge made by Parker and the only A grade or 300.00 dollar made that has come to light so far, Brad Bachelder freshened up this gun for me, does it take away in value? I say no because it is the only one known, so you see my point. By the way if you want to see the best display of original guns you will probably ever see, you need to see Mr Charlie Greens collection part of which will be displayed at the Parker Hall of Fame inductions at Chris steak house in Cary, Gary

[William Davis]

As a fairly new Parker owner and buyer here is my opinion.

Problem with restored is was it well done. Few I have looked at were very nice in appearance almost too nice. Thing that kept me away was how much may have been taken out of the barrels to clean up. If the gun came from one of the well known shops provided barrel measurements and was priced less than original might be worth considering. Ended up passing on restored for original, looking for another now and will only seriously consider original I would not reject a simple clean up or repair however like new restore puts me off right away.

What does that do to value ? makes restored a slow seller compared to the equivalent untouched gun, slow means less if the seller wants to move the gun.

Bill

[Dean Romig]

Originally Posted by Mark Callanan

What % should one deduct of a restored Parker

You can't deduct any % from a restored gun... it is what it is, and it will find its own value at the time of sale.... whatever the seller and buyer agree on.

[Craig Larter]

The best article I have read on this subject was written by Charlie Price in the Spring 1994 DGJ "Parker Economics". The author covers the economics of gun collecting from original condition to fully restored. I reread it about once a year to keep myself on track---it is a great article that applies today.
His advise regarding restoration makes sense to me----restore only what is to ugly to look at---keep the rest original and full restoration rarely makes any economic sense.

[Dean Romig]

Charlie is the epitome of the word "collector" and I have always valued his words and advice.

[C.O.B.]

The final value is going to come down to an agreement or disagreement on price between buyer and seller. I bought a GH damascuss 20 with rare 30 inch barrels sometime last year. This gun was completely redone by Doug Turnbull and it's fantastic BUT it's not original. After some debate with the seller we agreed to terms and I'm very happy with the gun.

The other side of the coin is a good honest gun showing some wear but in original condition VS being redone. One of our members here had a VHE 16 for sale on the forum. The gun showed honest wear which it should as it was made in 1930. It had good screws, straight stock (a definite plus for some) and acceptable patina. I would favor this gun in its present condition over another VH 16 redone by DelGrego.

[Mark Callanan]

Thanks alot for the information
Kind of you all to take the time to respond
I am looking at a redone CH grade and I am having a hard time finding a base line value

[C.O.B.]

Mark can you post any pics of the gun? If not what is the guage, configuration of the gun and the asking price? Do you know who redid the gun, Turnbull, DelGrego etc?

[Harold Pickens]

This little VH 20 with 26' cyl/m factory barrels was bought restored in the late 1980's--I have no idea what I paid for it , but it was nicely done.
This A grade 16 Fox was in poor condition when I bought it for $500--cost more than that to fix her up, but now is a sweetheart. I wished I had before pictures.