Upgraded parker value? AHE 16...Turnbull

SXS OHIO · 10-05-2011, 07:15 AM

Im looking at a gun on william larkin moore & sons sight. Whats it realy worth??? Its ia a turnbull upgrade. AHE 16ga. O frame 30" FF DT-SG-SF Sorry I have no link to jump over but is listed with the used parkers. I like this gun and wonder about the price? Thay are asking 20K....If a buyer wanted to resell it at some point would it hold its value. Im thinking of making them a offer....maybe 16500.00, not that this will buy it. Just wondering if that would be a good or bad idea value wise for a upgrade??? I love 16ga. guns and it would fit me and make a perfect Kansas wild rooster gun!!! 6lbs-6oz I would sell a few nice guns to finance this upgrade. Take a look at it and give your opinion...I have not made any offers on this gun....thanks Kenny Graft SXS ohio....(-:

Parkerman · 10-05-2011, 08:24 AM

IMHO, it is the same thing as wearing a fake Rolex,regardless of how good the fake is. You can admire the quality of the upgrade, the skill of the woodworker or the engraver, etc.
But, in the end, it is still not an original and therefore is worth less.

Austin W Hogan · 10-05-2011, 09:43 AM

Kenny; it would be quite honest and legitimate for you to call Turnbull Restorations, and ask for an estimate of the cost and time of delivery for them to make a similar 16AHE, or other gauge and grade of your choice, for you. The initial cost of a Parker of proper gauge and barrel length is the starting point of the cost.
Remember that a gun initiated by you can have your choice of birds dogs etc in the engraving., and your stock dimensions

Best, Austin

Bill Bates · 10-05-2011, 09:48 AM

As to worth of a shotgun like this one. I figure it is worth less than the cost to have Turnbull build another one made just how you want it made. It was someone elses dream and your dream may just be a little different; so, paying the actual production cost makes little sense. Other than the have it now factor I would think the cost needs to be well below what Doug will make you another. How much below that cost is anyones guess.

edgarspencer · 10-05-2011, 10:43 AM

It's pretty easy to loose sight off the distinction between 'worth' and 'value' when looking at things with the heart, instead the head. If the gun is precisely finished to the level you would have contracted Turnbull, then it's worth, to you, what you paid for the donor gun, plus the cost to have Turnbull do the work. Only then is it a good value to you, and probably only you. Is it a good investment? Well, I always interpreted that to mean that it would keep up with inflation and grow in it's liquidated value. The gun wouldn't likely appreciate in value unless Turnbull is held on the same plane, when he's no longer around, as other sound investment quality pieces like original Parkers, certain Colts and Winchesters. The greater the numbers seeking those pieces makes them, simply by virtue of the numbers, good investments. Even then, all these things come into, and go out of fashion to some degree. Remember when you couldn't give away a Damascus barreled gun? I'd never be able to retire (oh, wait, I am retired) on the sale of some of the things I've thrown money at, but the joy those things have given me has no price.
Do any of you remember a guy named Ed Spicer? He had a penchant for taking good, but ordinary quality pieces to the real masters like Joe Jurjevic and John Warren and having something built that was flat out gorgeous. I had one of his double rifles; what began as a nice Kettner, then profusely redone by John Warren. I always thought of it as my John Warren double rifle, not my Kettner. I sold it at the Vintagers at Sandanona, but I was lucky to have found a buyer who also liked Warren's work. My dad had one of Spike's Parker's, but there again, he didn't really think of it as a Parker VHE 28, which is what it originally was. It was a beautifully upgraded gun by John Warren, with a 2nd set of barrels made by Jurjevic, in 38-55 Winchester. My dad also had an original VHE28, that got lots of use, but I don't recall the Warren 28 ever leaving the house. I sure hope it's present owner uses it.

Wild Skies · 10-05-2011, 10:54 AM

WLM's description of the gun states they have it priced at two thirds of replacement costs...so they are saying it will cost ~ $30,000.00 to have Turnbull produce another one.

I know you could commission a similar gun with comparable quality, albeit not by Turnbull, but built to your specifications, with your choice of wood, your choice of engraving---your choice of everything, custom-built for Kenny for ~ $10,000 to $12,000.

Bruce Day · 10-05-2011, 10:59 AM

I have no idea whether it is a good value or not Kenny.

What I do know is that the best market and investment has for many years been in clean, original high condition, high grade small bore Parkers.

George Lander · 10-05-2011, 11:36 AM

Kenny: To give you a recent example a very fine 12 bore A-1 Special sold yesterday at Julia's for $50,000 while a 20 bore A-1 Special upgrade (started life as a Trojan) w/ extra Belgian barrels all nicely cased brought $12,000.

Best Regards, George

edgarspencer · 10-05-2011, 11:58 AM

George, That's the best kind of response yet. Based in fact, and about as current as it gets.

SXS OHIO · 10-05-2011, 12:59 PM

Food for thought......I like the gun as it is...to replace it fresh today...need a good starter gun O frame with ejectores 3-4000.00 say 10K for the work??? maybe 13,500.00 would be about right to buy this one? Auctions don't lie, $$$ thats the number!