Has the market for average Parkers bottomed???

[Heff]

I would say the internet has saturated the market. High grade, high quality guns are still demanding good prices. The run of the mill, average condition guns are now easy to find. I can sit in my chair with my phone and look at a few hundred of them. The best guns for the buck I have purchased in the last couple of years have come from members on this site. Honest guns at honest prices by honest individuals.

[Bill Jolliff]

Originally Posted by Bill Murphy

When I worked for my Uncle Sam, Zippos were the thing. We didn't buy fluid, we hung the insert by a wire in a tank of MOGAS in our truck or jeep. By the way, I am still using my Jon-E warmers.

Same here Murph. (Except for the Jon-E handwarmer.)

I spent part of my USN enlistment (1954 - 1957) on a Fleet Oiler/Tanker/Sea Going Gas Station - the USS Allagash AO97.

We refueled ships at sea including aircraft carriers where we would supply them with aviation fuel for their prop driven aircraft.

Aviation fuel worked fine in our Zippo lighters.

[charlie cleveland]

the gas in our old 5 ton trucks did not burn to good..hard to light and smoked like a tar keel......charlie

[Dean Romig]

I guess it hasn't bottomed yet...

I was at a gun show in Manchester, NH today and saw a poorly restocked DH 20 ga. with a beavertail forend without the correct reinforced forend loop for sale by a known dealer....

Anyone care to guess on the price?
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$11,995


I hope he gets his price - ALL of our guns will increase in value if he does.


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[Hammer Gun]

Dean, That dealer must have had his head somewhere the sun don't shine! Gary

[Dean Romig]

I should have made a low-ball offer...... but I was afraid he'd accept it.





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[Hammer Gun]

I think that most of us that have been Parker buyers for some time have seen prices go up and down, win sometimes and lose sometimes, I buy usually to enhance my collection sell off a gun to acquire a better condition gun or a rare one.That has always made me ask the question " Which is better a high condition gun or a rare one"? There are several high condition guns around in all grades, but you have to look hard to find a one of a kind! Gary

[Drew Hause]

There will always be individuals and "dealers" selling a vintage gun with a "name" who have no clue as to what they are selling, and those buying with no clue as to what they are buying. As said, as the greatest generation passes, leaving guns to those without interest therein or knowledge thereof, there will be more and more guns appearing for sale with prices disconnected from reality...and some at a bargain. Thanks to internet auction sites and collector's forums such as this one, there is no justification for not having a somewhat educated price range targeted for the gun one is seeking.

Relevant story: a buddy was at a small auction and bidding on a damascus barrel Parker hammer 16g against an older lady. She outbid him and bought the gun and he approached her politely afterward and asked why she wanted the gun - for her grandson for turkey hunting! He tried to explain, again politely, that plan might not be wise, which she didn't believe.

Hopefully we can get a report from the upcoming Las Vegas show. I thought the last one I attended was a sad reflection of the aging, and passing, of the "gun guy" generation.
OTOH as that generation passes, their accumulated wealth will go to their heirs, some of whom may share the interest in high grade, high value, collector and using grade guns.

[C.O.B.]

A wise man once told me two things. 1 it's easier to buy a gun than to sell a gun and 2 it's easier to sell a $3000 gun than a $30000 gun. I have found these to be true on more than one occasion.

[Dean Romig]

Originally Posted by Drew Hause

There will always be individuals and "dealers" selling a vintage gun with a "name" who have no clue as to what they are selling.

This particular dealer knows exactly what he’s selling. I think he may be in over his head on this gun, and he may have made a BIG mistake when he (or his consignor) bought it... and too late discovered his mistake.





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