doublegunshop.com - home Forums Thread Like Summary - Parker DHE Question...

Had the opportunity to look at a few Parker shotguns... a hammerless Field 12 ga. 2 12 ga. Engraved, Damascus barreled guns with hammers and a Hammerless DHE 12 ga. that had replacement barrels (marked Italy)... I am not a "Double Barrel Shotgun Guy"... but I can't get that DHE out of my mind... They are on consignment at an Antique shop... they've dropped the price to $1600 on the DHE... it that too much to spend on a Parker DHE with replaced barrels? I don't know... I would appreciate some feedback here... Thanks in advance... Ben

The early doubles barrels were cut to 26" (the top rib marks go to the end of the bbl.). I talked with my friend Bud Stanley in Spokane, after I sent him the pics, he gave me some advise and this morning I went to the shop and bought all three of the nicer Parkers, plus eight other guns they brought from the back room to sell at very discounted prices, making it much more palatable for me financially. Included was an unmarked antique percussion 12 ga. double w/ 35 1/2" "Fine Steel Barrels", a pre-64 Winchester standard Model 70 in .270, a very nice Remington 722 in .300 Savage and more gunshow fodder.

Once upon a time, it was possible for a guy to pay a relatively modest sum to have a set of replacement barrels made in Europe. Unfortunately, those days are long gone.

I am assuming the forend is not missing here. So while this DHE Parker will never be worth as much as an original in equal condition, it is also much cheaper to buy now. And keep in mind that if you could have decent replacement barrels built today, it would cost you several times the entire cost of this Parker. You would also have to contend with shipping the frame overseas, deal with export and import hassles and expenses, worry about loss, and probably wait some time for completion and return. If you bought it now and find you can shoot it well, I think it is nicer than some brand new import doubles that cost more. You can even try to negotiate an even lower price. And if you ever decided to sell it, I don't think you would ever have to take much of a loss, if any.

I have a lot more regrets about guns I talked myself out of buying than any I actually bought. And Ed is right about owning tangible assets versus dollars that lose more value every day that the Democrats are ruining the economy. This decision is a lot like our fraudulent president.... a virtual no-brainer!

If you like it and there are no major issues make a cash offer. Sounds like they are now willing to just sell it and move forwards. It will never be a gun sought after by a collector. It could be a fine gun to shoot and enjoy. What is the point of buying a gun you never use and if used would decrease in value? I take high grade guns hunting all the time. I do try to baby them but life happens. Having safe queens is pointless to me as gun are poor investments. I like them, I shoot them and I am only their current caretaker, not their museum curator.

I would never buy that gun without a good inspection and function test by someone who knows Parker shotguns really well. Having said that, it looks pretty dang good from the few pictures you posted: barrel fit, wood to metal fit, very clean looking. It is easily worth the asking price if everything checks out. What are the stock dimensions and what is the s.n. range?
JR

The total price for the 3 Parker's plus eight other guns came to $5,200 & tax... must admit, it's not an everyday occurrence that I drop $5,700. on guns. It was all Bud Stanley's fault, he pushed me over the edge... now I have to learn an entirely new area of gun collecting... We had a mutual gun collecting friend, Doug Helton, who passed away bird hunting this past year. I always marveled at the display of fine shotguns Doug would put out at regional gun shows... I always wished I knew a sliver of what he did when it came to double barrels. Bud has been very generous with his knowledge and I know I will enjoy this new journey.

You did well to leave that Grade 1 hammer gun alone. It has been messed with, and not too well. The rest are really nice, Italian and cut barrels notwithstanding. Nice find!