Parker shotgun expert needed

[FeuerFrei]

I am looking for someone that knows Parker shotguns and can offer advise on appraisals.
Any help is appreciated.

[Mr. Beretta]

Stolen from another site. Great advice IMHO. Good Luck!

Due to the extremely high value of Parker Guns, extreme care should be taken in their purchase. There are many upgraded and refinished guns represented as original; expert advice should always be sought. Many collectors would rather own a specimen with 30% original case colors than a refinished gun that is 100% (regardless who did the work). Many advanced collectors will discount a refinished Parker's value 40%-60% off the price for an original gun. Misrepresentation of refinished or upgraded Parkers is rampant today - especially case colors.

Also, beware of fake boxes and hanging tags - if the box and Parker shotgun are an original "pair," the value is enhanced tremendously. If the box/hanging tag is fake, you could pay as much as $1,500 to learn this lesson! In other words, do your homework, be careful, shop carefully, and above all, get a receipt for exactly what it is that you are purchasing.

Frame size on Parker shotguns is determined by the number on the bottom of the rear barrel lug on breech. Frame sizes (from largest to smallest) include 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 1/2, 1, 1/2, 0, 00, and 000. 8 ga. guns typically are framed 6 or 7. 10 ga. guns typically are 3 or 4. 12 ga. guns typically range from 2 through 1 (more desirable). "1/2" frame 12 ga. guns are very rare and desirable. 20 and 16 gauges range from 2 through 0 (more desirable, rare in 16 ga.). 28 ga. guns are either 0 or 00 (more desirable and twice as expensive). .410 bore shotguns are 00 or 000 (most common and most desirable). 8 and 10 ga. steel barreled shotguns are very rare, and prices can equate .410 bore values if the original condition is there.

The grade on Parker shotguns is a number or initials located on the water table of the frame. An alphabetical designation would indicate the grade immediately. For numerals, a "2" would indicate a GH, while an "8" would specify an A-1 Special - interpolate for the others (numbers 3 through 7). Parker shotguns manufactured by Remington will have date codes stamped on left barrel flat that correspond to the month and the year (see Remington serialization in the Serialization Section).

Also, if a Parker gun was returned to Remington for repair, alteration, or refinishing, it will usually have the date code stamped with a suffix of 3 (i.e., OK3 represents some type of rework completed in either July of 1941 or 1963). There is some ambiguity with the year as the year codes repeat.

A note about Parker condition: Percentages of condition indicate the amount of original case colors remaining on the frame, but sometimes these colors are faded and the rest of the gun is excellent - hence, all the separate condition factors must be considered when determining overall condition.

A Parker IS NOT 60% if the barrel bluing and stock/forearm varnish are 60% but case colors are only 10%. Typically, a 60% case color Parker shotgun will have 90%+ blue and varnish, yet this does not mean the gun is 90% overall. Similarly, a 20% case color Parker will probably have 90% barrel bluing remaining. Strong, original case colors are the key in determining Parker condition and subsequent values. However, for shotguns under 30% condition, the overall condition of the gun should determine value.

The Parker Story, Vol. I was published in late 1998. This book has production statistics derived from factory records, and the quantities manufactured listed in this text for steel-barreled hammerless Parker guns are taken from this book. This new publication also has more detailed production statistics on Parker guns produced from 1869-1942, including a breakdown by action type (lifter, top lever, and hammerless), grade, barrel steel, gauge, and barrel length. Some grades, gauges, etc., are fewer in number than previously estimated. All the grades are pictured in color, including the Invincible.

Parker Reproductions are also covered in detail, including production statistics. Vol. II was published in late 2000.
Parker Gun Identification & Serialization was published in late 2002. Compiled by using records from The Parker Story, Vols. I & II, this title features more than 100 detailed images and over 155,000 serial numbers to help verify an original Parker configuration.

If interested in Parkers, these publications will be invaluable. The author wishes to thank Mr. Charles Price, William Mullins, Roy Gunther, Louis C. Parker III, and Daniel Cote for sharing the following Parker production statistics with this publication.

The Parker Gun Collectors Association can also provide research letters on certain Parkers.

[Thefeeder]

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Perfect response ......+1 Mr.Beretta...The topic of rarity, and the valve of "all original" are seldom discussed on this forum. Todays quality firearms are tomorrows must have collectibles.