Rock Island Auction and Parker prices

[Jim DiSpagno]

I am a bit surprised there was no comment on the lower than usual prices on the Parkers at auction this weekend. A titanic steel barreled D grade straight gripped gun circa 1901 for $1,900.00 is unheard of as is a CHE 16 32"bbl. gun in real nice shape for $4,250.00 Whats going on here? Is it the economy or lack of or waning interest in our passion? A first generation Nazi paratroopers helmet with little finish for $11K and an L.C. Smith Monogram grade for $6K. Somethings wrong. Your thoughts please. Thanks, Jim D.

[Dean Romig]

Not enough serious players to bid up the prices. I don't think it has anything to do with lack of interest. Most collectors are just hanging static right now, except for the few smart ones who know what they want and go for it knowing that, because there are fewer serious players, the hammer price will usually be lower than expected.

[Jim DiSpagno]

A Grade7 AAHE 12ga in very good condition for $30K. Kind of low don't you think? and tho 8ga. NH 40"barrel for $22.5K?

[Hammer Gun]

Had a good friend who registered for the auction for phone bidding on that 8ga and they didn't even call him, that has happened to me also at RIA, and I have bought many items from them, sounds like they are a little slack on following up with their customers!

[Bruce Day]

While there are often nice guns available, I have not seen anything lately that was compelling for me.

[Bill Murphy]

It may be the time of year and the number of auctions. Personally, I like to read all the auction catalogs cover to cover. I have not had time to look at the RIA catalog at all. Just didn't have time.

[Ruff Hunter]

In the post-2008 world, I have purchased a few nice D grades with fluid and damascus barrels on Gun Broker for under $2,000. That is simply the current fair market value in this economy. The Blue Book is waaaay off base on current Parker values. The sellers pricing by the book are not making any sales. Look at the blue book value for a Trojan 12 gauge double trigger extractor in 70% condition and show me one sale since '08 for even half that amount.
The prices realized at RIA accurately reflect the current market values, though sellers and collectors don't like to hear it. On the bright side, now is the time to buy and increase your Parker collection. When the economy rebounds and the prices of Parkers shoot back up, we are all going to be kicking ourselves for not doing more buying now.

[Bruce Day]

Justin, some points in response to your thoughts.

1. There is a new edition of the Blue Book of Gun Values that became available in April. PGCA board member Bill Mullins has for many years been the contributor for Parker values and I know from personal conversations with publisher Steve Fjestad that he believes the Parker values are accurately represented and researched. Steve believes the market is strong for high quality guns but is soft for common guns. My personal view is that many people overstate the condition of their guns. The Blue Book provides that for Parkers condition is of high importance and significantly affects value.

2. Highly regarded gun auctioner Jim Julia has said that with respect to his most recent auction in which a number of high grade Parkers were offered, that " PEOPLE WERE THROWING MONEY AT GOOD GUNS". The gavel prices on those guns were extraordinarily high. We talked to Julia representatives recently and they confirmed that their market is very strong.

3. Friends in the gun business have remarked to me that business is very good on high quality collector grade guns, including Parkers. The market for lesser guns continues to be soft.

4. While it is anecdotal only, I was told in a conversation with a Colt's Mfg Co supervisor that wait times for custom engraved guns will be close to one year, and that their regular production guns are allocated far in advance.

5. Dealer friends at the March Tulsa gun show, one of the largest in the country, told me they did well and sold guns. One said that the market has returned.

6. At the recent NRA convention ( 70,000 to 80,000 attendance) manufacturers such as Remington, Ruger and Browning mentioned to me that interest was strong and people were in a buying mood.

[charlie cleveland]

this soft economy is good for us shooters espically like me... hate to say it but on a whole most of us fellows aint even got money at the moment to buy in this soft economy this includes me... charlie

[Fritz Dornan]

I was on the phone for the 12 ga CH and the 16 CHE both of which sold for $4250 as noted. I was next in line for both guns. The 16 CHE 32 inch barrel gun was hard to say no to...I just could not do it. The top rib was drilled in 2 places one of the holes was in the address. When they described the gun prioir to the auction there were other issues as well. I think if it were in a little bit better condition it could have been shot without any additional money spent on it and the price would have been higher. It could have been made into a nice gun but it would have taken some money.. The top rib would have been tough to overcome though. Who ever bought it got a really rare Parker that if restored will be very nice.

Fritz