Parker VHE 20ga

[Bill Murphy]

A thought to consider. Every year, there are thousands more Winchester pump guns being refinished, as well as hundreds more Parker 20s being refinished. If you do the math, every year, there are thousands fewer original Winchester pump guns available and hundreds fewer original Parker 20s available for the market. As I said earlier, I am on the edge on this particular gun. If it were mine, I would be using it as is. In fifty years of collecting Winchesters, I have had one Model 12 and two Model 42s worked on. The Model 12 was not successful and the two Model 42s were successfully "tweaked" by someone whose work probably can't be duplicated at any reasonable price. That is the extent of my Winchester refinishing history in fifty years and probably 100 guns.

[Marcus Hoogewind]

You all make some very good and convincing points. I'll have the gun gone through mechanically and professionally cleaned and likely leave it as it is. I was on the fence about the restoration but not crazy about the monetary investment. The money I save on not doing the restoration I can put into another Parker or more Winchester.

[Double Lab]

In my opinion Marcus, money well spent. Good luck with your next Parker.

[Mike Franzen]

Maybe if you wanted a restored gun to all it's original glory you could find another one that needed the work done to make it usable again.

[edgarspencer]

There doesn't appear to be anything in your photos that suggests the gun's life has expired, so I'm not sure I would characterize restoring this gun to new as giving it a new lease on life. Generally, there isn't anything in a cosmetic restoration that would extend the life of this gun. Even guns whose barrel bluing has all but gone will last with proper cleaning and normal post-use preservation.
There are many gun gunsmiths, whose work is well known, and regarded, however the experienced eye will always detect the restored guns from the pristine originals. All it takes is a scan of the big three gun sites to note that restored guns always lag behind good originals in the prices they realize.
I forgot what Dean calls it, but I have a similar way of describing how a gun "feels". They don't talk to me (and I don't see dead people) but they impart a warmth that only comes from a well loved, well cared for piece.

[Fishtail]

Leave the gun alone and satisfy your need to show charity to Burt by sending him a nice fruitbasket.

[Double Lab]

Marcus;
You have a gem of a 20 there. My modest collection of Parkers centers around 20ga. guns and yours is one that I would be happy to own in that condition. I would'nt refinish if it were mine but the way I see it every time someone refinishes a gun like yours, in that condition, it just makes my original condition guns worth more. Thanks for sharing that gem.

[Marcus Hoogewind]

Sent you a PM.