Parker DHE value & possible restoration

Scott Ray · 08-22-2010, 08:14 PM

I recently acquired a 12 ga. Parker DHE. I'm trying to get an idea of the value of the gun. It appears to be in excellent condition - so good, in fact, I suspect it may have been restored at some point.

I thought I would post some pics here and ask you guys.

I'm also in the process of sending off for a Research Letter.

Thanks.

Ed Blake · 08-22-2010, 08:45 PM

Yes, I would say the receiver has been recased and the blueing looks very good for a gun of its vintage. It is listed in the book as a Titanic 30" gun with no extras from 1899, meaning no ejectors. Does it have ejectors? Nice gun. use it in good health.

Dean Romig · 08-22-2010, 08:47 PM

Hi Scott,

It's hard to say how much of your Parker has been restored... quite obviously it has been re-case colored using the cyanide process but if anything else on the gun has been refinished it is hard to tell what... the checkering is perfect and the barrel blue is perfect as well. In fact, it is hard to see much wear at all on thet gun.
A 12/30 D grade like yours is not uncommon but a 12/30 in that condition is not at all common - and with ejectors it becomes even more desirable to some shooters. I would place a value of $3,800 - $4,800 on it while others may disagree.

Mine is 90,739

Labowner · 08-22-2010, 08:55 PM

Yes Scott it looks like a complete restoration with cyanide colors, maybe a DelGrego job. My guess on value would be in the 5 grand range. If you have some close up pictures and the serial number we may be able to add some more info. You can also order a letter on the gun. Nice
Bob

I guess I'm a slow typer

Scott Ray · 08-22-2010, 09:23 PM

Thanks for the info guys. The help is much appreciated. I believe the gun has ejectors, but I'm not positive. Barrels are about 30". I'm not sure about the chokes. Some more pics...

Dean Romig · 08-22-2010, 09:24 PM

Yup, it has ejectors for certain.

George Lander · 08-22-2010, 10:15 PM

I would agree with Dean & Robert as to value. A PGCA letter would tell you a good deal more. That's a nice Parker!

Best Regards, George

Ed Blake · 08-23-2010, 08:57 AM

How is the gun choked? From the looks of the muzzle-end it appears that the chokes may have been opened. Get the bores, and, or the barrel wall thickness measured just to be sure someone has not reamed out pitting and left your barrels too thin.

Scott Ray · 08-23-2010, 11:02 PM

Once again, a big thank you to all who responded.

I measured the barrels at the ends, and got the following results - right barrel, 0.715" id x 0.791" od; left barrel, 0.696" id x 0.793" od.

I sent off today for a research letter.

I'd also like to try to find someone in the Houston, TX, area, or Golden Triangle area (I live in Beaumont) to look at the gun and give a more thorough evaluation than what can be done over the internet. The only shop I'm aware of in Houston that might be able to do this would be Collector's Firearms, but I've never dealt with them for something like this, so if you guys know of some good ones (or bad ones to avoid) I'd be interested.

Thanks again.

Scott

Austin W Hogan · 08-24-2010, 09:01 AM

0.696 inches is the "nominal" full choke diameter of Parker barrels after s/n 70000 - see Dave Suponski's article on this in Parker Pages a few issues back. A contoured reamer was used to bore and form choke in one pass; a nut borer was used to adjst the choke if necessary to meet the customer's request. 0.715 is a little larger than later modified choke, but we have few modified choke measurements on guns less than 200000 s/n to compare.

Best, Austin