Why is a 12 ga Parker a "boat anchor" these days?

[todd allen]

My safe is full of boat anchors. Some of them have nice wood and engraving. Being a hard core 12 gauge guy helps.

[John Allen]

There are several reasons 12 gauge doubles in general are loosing value.The main one in my opinion,is that very few serious shooters now use a 12 for anything but duck hunting. The advent of steel shot put most 12 doubles on the sideline.Younger waterfowlers want more firepower and a gun that can get wet and beat up without worry.As for upland hunters,most have gone to small gauge guns.Also,the gun market has gone to almost a pure collector market.Any gun in mint condition,even a 12,will bring more than ever.But the price difference between 100% and 90% condition has never been greater.

[MrBojangles]

Originally Posted by Craig Larter

I have been trying to sell a very nice antique DH 12ga 30" for $1850. with no interest so don't feel bad. The good news is you get a lot of gun for your dollar with 12 ga guns. I am a big fan of 12ga, there as pretty to look at as the small bores and 1/3rd the price. That way I can own three times as many! I figure why buy an expensive 28 ga long barreled Parker when I can just shoot very pleasant 3/4 oz loads in my 12's.

That's a nice gun and no interest at $1850. It makes the GHE I inquired about probably less than a $1500 gun.

[Craig Larter]

Good luck in your search but a PM to me about the price of my gun would have been much more appropriate in my opinion.

John so if u don't shoot a small bore your not a serious shooter??? That's news to most the sxs shooters I know.

[MrBojangles]

Originally Posted by Craig Larter

Good luck in your search but a PM to me about the price of my gun would have been much more appropriate in my opinion.
Your opinions about price are just yours, but no need to trash prices you feel are not appropriate.

No, I didn't say that. $1850 seems really fair for the gun you have for sale. I am looking at a GHE a friend has for sale, price not determined yet. If that doesn't go through, yours at $1850 could be an option. I am amazed these are that low these days. I had an interest in this stuff years ago, and prices are much, much lower now.

[Bill Murphy]

Well, why are you complaining about low prices if you are a buyer? Start writing checks and adding to your collection. There are wonderful 12 gauge guns for sale today at great prices. Your question should be "Where should I be looking?" I am finding way more great guns than I can buy, at great prices.

[MrBojangles]

Okay, where should I be looking?

Right now I'm waiting for my friend to decide if he wants to sell me his GHE or not. He's still digesting the fact it's not a 4k gun in today's market.

[B. Dudley]

Tell him to put it out on the open market for $4k. Or even for $3k and see how long it takes for him to realize it wont sell. He MAY get some interest around $2500 or so. But him crying about one buyer not giving $4k is hardly a test of the market and the true “right price” for the gun.

[John Allen]

Brian's suggestion is a great idea.Let him put it out at $4000 and see what happens.If he sells it,good for your friend.If not, you can make him a reasonable offer and you both are happy.

[Craig Budgeon]

Markets change, 45 years ago 16 ga. guns were worth a third less than 12 bores, damascus guns brought a fraction of what a steel barrel guns brought, trap and skeet were the popular forms of competitive shooting replaced by sporting clays today, pheasants were plentiful and challenging now they are all but extinct in upstate New York unless you go to a game farm, and without a doubt there a fewer individuals willing to pay todays asking prices while years ago there was a line of people willing to buy good guns.