32" vs 30"

[Mark Kircher]

I was involved in a bidding war on Gunbroker a few years back for

1920 20 bore GH -0 frame-straight grip - DT- SFE - 32" "191XXX.

At auctions end I was high bidder at $7,800 If I remember correctly. I was able to renegotiate down to the $6500 range as the gun had a few issues not described in the listing. If pressed, I would have accepted it at the bid price as opposed to returning it. This gun was WELL Used but honest, save some poor stock touch up work.

I would have bought the pinned stock V grade gun that sold for $3200 on this board in a minute had I seen it in time.

The 25% premium is a good number to work with in my opinion. Higher condition guns perhaps even more.

[Bill Murphy]

Decades ago, I paid $450 for my old #2 frame 32" 20, serial number 153,333 at Atlas Sporting Goods in Bailey's Crossroads, Virginia. At the time, a normal 26" or 28" 20 gauge VH would probably have sold for $225. I would like to find that gun and purchase it today. Does that anecdote add anything to our conversation?

[Bruce Day]

Originally Posted by David Dwyer

Bruce
Fantastic Parker, but did not address the question?
David

Value is up to the person. I have 20’s in 32, 30, 26 and 24. The 32 works for me only for trap shooting and certainly not in the field. To me a 32 is not worth more than a 30 but I know it’s a big deal to many people.

[10 bore]

I love shooting my 32 in. ,20, it's a great crow and duck gun, I shot a crow with it last sat. in Maine, and when the NH season opens this fri, I hope to shoot a lot more of them with it.
scott

[BS]

Bruce,
Why no 28" barrels?

[Bruce Day]

The fellows back east have bought them all. Maybe I can find one with chopped barrels.

[C.O.B.]

I have two Parker 20's with 30 inch barrels, one a GH Damascus (not many of these produced) that has been completely redone by Turnbull. I purchased it several years ago from a member and a DHE with all the options and 90% case color. The DHE is easily a 5 figure gun. Then there is the 32 inch BHE with factory 3 inch chambers and a straight grip (the DHE is a straight grip as well) which IMHO is a great target gun and perhaps useful in a Dove field or duck blind.

At the end of the day would I pay more for those extra 2 inches? I guess it would have to depend on the gun. If the BHE wasn't a 32 inch gun I'd have probably passed on it.

[Alfred Greeson]

Thanks to everyone for all the great pics and discussion. Everyone talks and shows and then Bruce trumps em all. Thanks Bruce for sharing, you have some great Parkers.

[John Allen]

When appraising a 32" 20 gauge,I have found the 32" gun will sell for double the retail price of an equal condition 26" or 28" gun.A 30" 20 gauge will bring at least a 50% premium.I have found that holds true with other American doubles as well.That was not true even 25 years ago when 26" guns brought a premium.

[C grade]

I searched for 5 years for an all original, good condition(50% CC) , 30 " straight grip 20ga. A good friend, Paul Dorsa, finally took pity on me and sold me his VHE. Based on what I paid for the 30" SS that would put a 32" at $ 8500. John???
David