My prejudices are well known... I couldn't agree more! I shoot Nitros, in several guages, more than any other (except for a DS Lefever in 16 ga). Never a problem snd they handle and perform well!
Roy: Referring to your 2004 Auction Survey on this site, I have crunched some of your data and used the analysis in my new book,
Parker Guns: Shooting Flying and the American Experience (Collector Books of Paducah KY, scheduled for release summer 2008). According to my Chart 3 in Chapter 43--"What Are Your Chances"--which deals with the statistical probibility of finding a nice SxS in the collector marker, the following $$$ denomanated numbers might be of interest:
104 Parkers of all grades and condition averaged $4,382; 47 Foxes @ $2,361; 101 L.C.Smiths @ $1,274; 49 Ithacas @ $646; 45 Lefever Co's @ 777; 63 Nitro Specials @ 477; 3 D.M.Lefevers @ $2,323; 15 Colts @ $2,061;and 10 Remingtons @ $767.
As to entry level shooters, 16 Parker Trojans with a range of $345 to $5,750 averaged $1,333, while 36 VH(E)s $250 to $17,250 averaged $3,378. 32 Fox Sterlingworths $352 to $2,026 averaged $947. The 63 Nitro Specials at $477 average and ranging from $165 to $1,393 seem to be the bargain guns at point of purchase, but, of course, are worth less when it's time to sell.
Two caveats: Figures lie and liars figure and Lake Michigan averages 4 feet deep...don't drown in the averages. EDM
