1903 PARKER 16 GA O FRAME

[Steve Hodges]

I would like to apologize up front for the “new guy” question, as you have probably been asked this a thousand times. I am not new to doubles, but new to parkers. I have decided that I want a VH grade 16 gauge original gun with a O frame. Ideally I would like 28” barrels, but would settle for 26” in the right gun. I have done my “due diligence” in searching the Blue Book of gun values for the configuration, and have searched the gun auctions and selling sites to try and find some “comps” of what the real world price should be for this type of gun, with condition being the “wild card” of course. I have also searched this site, as well as others for information of original configurations on these guns, and how to at least identify frame size. Now comes the question. I have located a 1903 VH 16 gauge with 26" Vulcan steel uncut barrels choked Improved cylinder x Full in a O frame and 2 ¾” chambers. It has about three "buggered" screws.LOP is 14” to original hard dogs head butt plate. It has a semi-pistol grip style stock. The gun looks to be in at least 50 to 60% original condition. The seller states that the gun is all original. I set the percentage estimate based on photographs provided by the seller. Photos show that all numbers match, the O frame mark is correct, and the V grade proof is also correct. My question is based more on originality of the gun than the price to be paid for it. Do I need to look at anything else to try and determine that this is an originally configured gun? Or anything else that I need to look out for, or specific questions to ask the seller? I know determining the originality of the finish is impossible to do based on description so I am not referring to finish. And the price is $3500. Thanks