I would be interested in hearing opinions on the percieved value of a Parker Repro 28 ga. Skeleton buttplate cut off and replaced with a Pachmayr. Single trigger, straight grip, splinter forend. 26" barrels Q1/Q2. No makers case. about 90% finish other than the butchered stock.


Thanks

If that gun were all original, in having its skeleton butt plate and maker's case two years ago would have sold quickly at $4500-$5000. In today's economy an all original 28-ga. "whole" gun with single trigger in the case is a tough sell at $4000. The gun as you describe with a pad added and no case would be lucky to fetch $3200...I could be wrong though--but I don't think so.

Fred,
The gun is still a good functioning Parker Repro and should be price for it's utility value compared with other "non-collectable" guns of similar quality. I'm thinking that puts it in the $2k-2.5k range, maybe $3k at the outside.

I agree with both of you. The market was always for minty guns, the market is very soft right now, the gun in question has a single trigger, 26" barrels, and a butchered stock. I would put the gun on gunbroker at no reserve and test the market. If I didn't already have a light bird gun, I would be delighted with such a gun at $2000. However, I would probably be outbid by a few bucks.

The Q1 & 2 would be the good part, to a grouse and woodcock hunter (or maybe quail) looking for a shooter. However, the cut stock and no case both hurt the gun. I'm thinking $2500-3000 too.

I'm looking at a similar Parker 28, beavertail, 26" I/M, double triggers, skeleton buttplate, excellent condition but no case. Any ideas on fair offers?

This confirms my thoughts on price as well. This would only ever be a shooter for anyone. Thanks

Cuzcletus,

Your gun sounds different to me, the cases can be found occassionaly and for a few hundred bucks be "put back together". The double trigger will drive this, I would expect to see $3500+ on that gun, even in todays market.

Cuz, the one you're looking at is a fairly rare configuration. DT less commonly seen than SST; BT less commonly seen than splinter. A few months back, I saw a dealer put a price north of $6K on a 28ga Repro like that (with case). I bought one just like it a year ago (with case), PG, paid $4500. For whatever reason, I did not shoot it well. Traded to another dealer, basically got back what I spent on it--which, trading to a dealer, means it was a pretty good deal. If you're talking a private seller, I'd maybe go high $3K range--pretty close to Fred's estimate--and likely think it a good deal if I could get it for that.

The ultimate standard variety collector Repro is 28 gauge, double trigger, two barrel set, straight grip, beavertail, in case, mint, with accessories. Julia (or was it Amoskeag?) actually sold one like that for ten grand at the absolute top of the market. Now, such a gun is lucky to break six. If a person does not own one, I would recommend picking one up now. The one "cuz" is looking at would be a great buy at $4000 if it really is near mint. Where in hell do the cases disappear to? I bet that gun was once a two barrel set and the case was sold.

I would like to pick up a 28 gauge, 28" double trigger, straight grip gun with splinter forend for a "reasonable" price now that the market has tanked. I don't care about the case if the price is right. What are my chances?

Bill, are you sure of that, could your memory be getting a bit fuzzy? As I recall, one of those NIB 28-ga. 2-bbl. sets sold for ~$7500 and you shortly thereafter boldly predicted that they would soon rise to $10,000. You will undoubtedly be right eventually, but it's probably going to take awhile to get there now.

I think this was the thread and RIA was the auction.

http://www.doublegunshop.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=148137&page=2

IMO the ST (and problems associated with it) along with the cut buttplate are very large deductions(40-45%).A DT,ST 28 will still bring bidders and much more then the others.

The RIA auction was a good example of what can happen when a quantity of Repros is put up when wonderful original guns are available at the same auction. The RIA prices were as low as we have seen in years for great Repros. The high price I mentioned for a two barrel set with all popular features was not at RIA, but at another auction. Nothing wrong with old eightbore's memory when "Guns I Didn't Buy" are involved.

Bill I looked for 3 years for that exact configuration and when one would pop up I was always too late. I finally closed on one a couple of months ago. It has been hunted, has some handling marks, carry wear, and a few small wood dings. I payed the asking the price the day it popped up on the website. It weighs 5lbs 5oz and has perfect light trigger pulls.

Best,

Mike

When Winchester quit manufacturing Parker Repro's, I paid $2700 for a new DHE two barrel set and the shotgun came in a fitted leather covered hard case. I am more than pleased with the wood on my gun and mostly use it for prairie grouse, huns, dove and quail. My 28 DHE is still in pristine condition and I have been offered and refused $7500 for the shotgun. Is it worth that much? I doubt it, but it is a beautiful shotgun that handles well.

Thanks all for your opinions. Based on what I learned here, I bought the repro 28 at what would appear to be a very good price. Of course today is March 31, last day of quail season in Georgia, so it will have to wait til next year to get to the field. Fit for me seems spot on (I am the statistical norm for heighth though above average for avoir dupois) and I am counting on it to cure my problem of missed birds. I will try to ignore the "made in Japan" stamped on the barrels, which has caused me shove guns out of the nest before.

And exactly what is wrong with "Made in Japan?" The Japanese make some fine products!

Yeah, but Repros are like Toyotas. Sometimes the trigger sticks and the darned things just keep shooting!

Excellent!

Joe;

No question the Japanese make fine products and this Parker appears to be a very good piece of gunsmithing. But for me, and I think most people on this board, shotgunning has important components of heritage and romance entertwined in the actual act of hunting or shooting. Our imaginations transcend practicality. That's the reason for all the posts on Parkers, Elsies, British guns, and obscure European makes. In fact, its the reason for the existence of Parker repro's as people take to the field with replicas of guns they either can't afford or are too valuable to go dragging through the catbriars. We want to simulate the experiences of our forefathers with their shiny new Parkers in an era to which many of us feel we would have been better suited. Its why I carry a Parker 20 VH while most of my bird buddies swing Beretta O/U's.

As I hit 60, there are several guns that have been with me for a large part of my life. They are guns that I've made the connection with; guns that have been history in my hands. Many other guns have rotated through the safe and have been quickly forgotten. I have some in there now who's existence is in peril. But the ones that have stayed are all older guns and either U.S. or European. Like a good old dog, they are simply not for sale.

Hopefully this repro Parker and I can go to the field next year and bond. If I shoot it well this may be the cure for my firearms xenophobia. If not, watch for it in the "sale" forum on this website. I'll use the money to buy another Parker...or Elsie...or something Abercrombie and Fitch brought into this country a century ago. I have nothing against Japanese guns. They just haven't yet satisfied what I personally seek in this hobby.

Cuz, you have explained well the reason we fool with these vintage guns. However, although I am in my fifty first year with my first Parker, a great little 28 gauge, I still regard my 28 gauge Repro very highly, and it, like my first, is not for sale.