From a purely economic view, the Parker Repro will appreciate in value as time goes by, assuming condition stays the same, the Arietta will decline in value the day it's transferred to you and continue to decline for some time. A look at used prices on Arietta's will tell you about how much. Eventually, as new Arietta prices go up significantly, a used Arietta will go up also. Assuming you buy the Parker at fair market today, it'll be worth more in a year, very likely.
Frankly, I like both guns very much and have owned neither. It's a tough call for me. I'd want both eventually.
BTW, I think the "repro" moniker of the Parker Reproduction guns was a marketing failing. The owner of the mfr rights of a classic gun will likely not make that mistake again. It should have been marketed as a continuation of production or second gen...or some such thing to be recognized for what they are; guns built to the same specs using modern equipment, processes, and materials. To me, the 'repro' is better in some ways than the 'originals'.
Last edited by Chuck H; 11/12/06 07:00 AM.
