PARKER GHE 20 GAUGE SIDE BY SIDE SHOTGUN WITH 30″ BARRELS
In his book Parker Guns: The Old Reliable, Ed Muderlak said something like “Parker shotguns aren’t rare. But Parker shotguns with lots original condition are.” Ed was right- of course. I live within a couple hours of a few large gun shops. These shops always have a few Parker on their racks. But rarely are these shotguns very original.
Original condition is everything to collectors, and that’s why Parkers like the one you see here drives them crazy. Made in 1923, it’s a 20 gauge G.H. with unusual 30″ barrels and what looks like a ton of original condition.
PARKER GHE 20 GAUGE SIDE BY SIDE SHOTGUN WITH 30″ BARRELS: RIGHT BARREL BORE .616 CHOKE .011 IMPROVED CYLINDER, LEFT BARREL BORE .618 CHOKE .022 IMPROVED MODIFIED, 2 3/4″ CHAMBERS, DOUBLE TRIGGERS, EJECTORS, TWIN IVORY SIGHT BEADS, O FRAME, 14 1/4″ LENGTH OF PULL OVER DOGS HEAD BUTTPLATE, DROP 1 1/2″- 2 3/4″, 98% BARREL BLUE, 95% TRIGGER GUARD BLUE, 85% CASE COLOR, WOOD FINISH EXCELLENT, NICE TIGHT AND CRISP PARKER. PRICE: $10,999
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Take a good look at the 16g Parker double you see here. I bet it will be gone soon – and for good reason. As a 16 gauge on a O frame, it’s hard to find and one of the best grouse guns ever made in America. It also has excellent dimensions, with just 2″ D@C.
Here’s more about it from the seller.
16 gauge Parker Bros. VH SxS Double Barrel Shotgun, 28″: A splendid high condition Parker VH 16 ga. on the small O frame. The 28″ full choke barrels were 3#3ounce pre strike. The frame has 80-90& original case color on the exterior and near 100% in protected and interior locations. The blue is 90% or better with some rub marks. The wood has a few very minor handling marks. The screws appear unturned. The gun was made in 1910 and exists in exceptional condition. Original hard rubber butt plate, (1 small spilt near upper screw hole. Bore are mint. Capped pistol grip 14″ LOP, 1 1/14″ DAC 2″ DAH. A spectacular find and very collectable. Price: $3,600
Here’s a tough 16 gauge side-by-side to find: a Parker Bros. DHE-grade double barrel shotgun. Also known as Grade 3s, Parker introduced its D-grade shotguns in 1875. With a price of $100, this model was the company’s least expensive “custom made” shotgun.
The DHE you see here was made in 1905 (the H is for hammerless, the E is for ejectors). It looks like it’s in nice condition. I’m not sure how many 16 gauge DHEs Parker made, but I can tell that you don’t see them on the market that often, especially nice shooters like this one. This one is online at Gunbroker.com and the auction ends 9/25/2013 3:15:42 PM ET. So if you like it, get on it now.
16 gauge Parker DHE Double Barrel SxS Shotgun: With steel 28″ barrels. 2-1/2″ chambers choked Imp. Mod and full according to my gauges. Bluing is thinning on barrels and stock has the usual dings and scratches for a gun this age. recoil pad is flat from sitting. 14″ LOP to the front trigger. Size 1 frame. Bores are great. Serial # 134521.
16 gauge Parker Bros DHE Double Barrel SxS Shotgun16 gauge Parker Bros DHE Double Barrel SxS Shotgun16 gauge Parker Bros DHE Double Barrel SxS Shotgun16 gauge Parker Bros DHE Double Barrel SxS Shotgun
Hardcore Parker collectors love to own more than just Parker shotguns. They also look for catalogs and postcards from the gunmaker, as well as other items manufactured by the Parker Bros. company. Below are a handful of these items on Ebay now.
ORIGINAL PARKER GUN CLOCK INTERMITTENT , click for listing1923 The Parker Gun catalog, on Ebay now. Click for listing.ORIGINAL PARKER GUN BELL CLOCK, click for listingPARKER GUN ORIGINAL POST CARD, click for listingPARKER GUN ORIGINAL 1930 SALES CATALOG, click for listingPARKER GUN ORIGINAL 1930 SALES CATALOG. click for listing
Refinished shotguns aren’t my thing – most of the time. But this little 20 gauge Parker caught my eye, and I have to say this: For redone gun, it sure is nice looking double.
The seller says this gun was refinished by Larry DelGrego in the ’70s. The DelGregos are the first family of Parker restoration, and their work is almost as famous as the guns themselves. Larry DelGrego Sr. went into the Parker repair and restoration business in 1955, after learning 22 years of learning his craft at the Parker factory. Today, Larry DelGrego III is carries on the family tradition and turns out first quality work on America’s favorite double barrel shotgun.
Refinishing a SxS like the Parker you see here is an expensive project, and doing right will cost you $3,500+. But as you can see for yourself, when the job is done right, the results can be very nice.
Here’s more info on this shotgun from the seller:
Parker VH Grade 20 Gauge Straight Stock: Restored by Larry DelGego in the ’70s. 26″ bbls, Twin ivory beads, Modified and Full, Mirror bores, twin ivory beads, 0 frame, straight grip stock to a checkered butt, 14″ x 1 1/2″ x 2 3/8″. 5lbs, 12oz. 99% blue, 100% case colors & trigger-guard blue. Looks new. Price: $3800.00
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Lot 560: Parker AAHE Grade Pigeon gun, 12 gauge 2 ¾” chambers, 32” barrels: Serial number 205648. About 240 made. Excellent as restored condition by DelGrego. Barrels show Peerless steel marking. The interior of the barrels are very good plus with 99% plus of the proper color refinish. The action has been lightly polished. The trigger guard has been refinished. The stock remains in excellent as restored. LOP 14 ½”, 1 7/8” drop at the heel, ½” drop at the comb. Wall thickness .29 right and .25 left. . Est.: $35,000- $70,000.
Lot 600:Parker CHE grade 12 gauge double barrel shotgun, 30″ barrels: Serial #118334. English style straight stock, double triggers, auto ejectors, Titanic steel marked barrels, in very good+ to near fine original condition, . The barrels show 75-85% original blue; action retains 40-60% case hardening; the trigger guard has drifted to traces of blue; the stock shows a good grain and fancy checkering, with the forend almost fully checkered. LOP 14-1/2″. The gun locks tight, the bores are bright, and this is a very nice looking collector’s grade Parker. Est.: $6,000-$12,000
Parker CHE grade 12 gauge double barrel shotgun, 30″ barrels28 gauge Parker CHE double barrel SxS shotgun, OO frame
Lot 197:Parker VHE grade 20 gauge, SxS shotgun: Fine original condition. Serial #210670. The barrel’s measure 26”. 14 ¼” LOP The barrel’s retain 95% plus bright original blue, action shows 50% to 70% bright original case hardening. Trigger guard shows 50% to 70% thinning original blue. The gun is completely authentic and not abused. A collectors quality Parker out of a local estate. The barrels are both choked improved modified showing 2 ½” drop at the heel and 1 ½” drop at comb. Full 2 ¾” chambers and the ejectors work well. Est.: $1,400-$2,800.
Parker Brothers 12 gauge GHE grade Factory Skeet, by Remington
Lot 176: Parker Brothers 12 gauge GHE grade Factory Skeet, by Remington: Serial #241791. In fine to near excellent condition. 26” barrels with ventilated rib, single trigger, auto ejectors, beavertail forend, pistol grip stock, skeleton butt plate. The gun shows 95% to 98% original blue and case hardening with just some slight handling and minor use. The stocks are also fine to near excellent showing a nice burled wood grain. The barrels are both choked cylinder or skeet. 14” LOP. Est.: $7,000 -$14,000.
Lot 1463: 28 gauge Parker CHE double barrel SxS shotgun, OO frame: Serial #184814. Barrels originally 30”, now 26”. English style straight stock, skeleton steel butt plate and checkered butt, serial number 184814. Old factory or Del Greco quality refinish of which and 90% to 95% of this blue finish remains showing good sharp edges and sharp markings with just a few small scratches, slight toning and minor losses. The frame is typically Parker engraved with fancy scrolls showing hunting dog on left and right with game bird on bottom. The frame shows 65% to 85% proper and old-style case hardened colors. Select checkered walnut stocks which of also been lightly refreshed and refinished. The action is tight and the bores are near excellent . Est.: $20,000-$40,000
28 gauge Parker CHE double barrel SxS shotgun, OO frame
Twenty-eight gauge Parkers are tough to find, especially ones with 28″ barrels and a bit of original condition. From the looks of things, the one you see here has all that and more.
This 28g Parker is up for auction now at Gunauction.com. It’s a no reserve auction, ending on Sunday, May 5, 2013 @ 15:00:00 PT. So if you like what you see, get on it now.
28 gauge Parker DH Grade SxS Double Barrel shotgun: 152943 mfg. circa 1910, 28 ga., built on a “00” color case hardened boxlock frame, blue finished 28 in. Titanic Steel BBLs, DT, EXT, checkered deluxe PG walnut stock w/hard rubber butt plate and splinter forearm.
Condition (assuming original) – Appears to be in NRA Modern Good overall original condition with 70%-80% BBL blue and 50%-60% color case hardened finish remaining and only light handling marks.
Parker Bros. VH 12 gauge Double Barrel Side by Side Shotgun, 1950 Remington Refinish
Refinishing shotguns is like golf: Lots of people do it, few do it well.
The 12 gauge VH-grade Parker shotgun you see here is up for auction now (ending March 17, 2013 17:15:00 PT). This double was made in 1902 and refinished by Parker in 1950 (owned by Remington and located in Ilion, NY, by then).
It’s a great looking gun, and it’s interesting to see what the factory did and how well they did it.
Parker Bros. VH 12 gauge Double Barrel Side by Side Shotgun, 1950 Remington Refinish
The first thing that JUMPS out are the screaming case colors. Those are cyanide colors. Originally this Parker came with bone-charcoal case colors, and when it was new they looked more like this. By the 1930s, Parker was using cyanide colors on all their shotguns. Take a closer look at the pics to see just how nice these colors looks.
Overall, I have to say that the refinish on this VH-grade Parker was done well — and right. If you would like to add a Remington-refinished Parker to your collection, this is the one to get.
Parker Bros. VH 12 gauge Double Barrel Side by Side Shotgun, 1950 Remington RefinishParker Bros. VH 12 gauge Double Barrel Side by Side Shotgun, 1950 Remington RefinishParker Bros. VH 12 gauge Double Barrel Side by Side Shotgun, 1950 Remington Refinish
Old gun catalogs from the original makers are one of the best places to learn about vintage shotguns. This Parker shotgun catalog on Ebay now is one of the nicest the company every produced. It’s also one of the most detailed and informative. If you’re really into Parker shotguns, it’s a must have.
This catalog is from 1937 – so well into Parker’s Remington period. I think it’s the final retail catalog Parker/Remington ever produced. With nice pictures, long descriptions and big pages (the catalog measures 11″ x 8 1/2″), it’s also one of the best. Ever single Parker shotgun available at the time is featured – from the A1 Special to single barrel Parker Trap guns. There are also accessories like butt pads and detailed instructions for ordering a new Parker side by side.
On the collector’s market, a catalog like this is a $400-$475 item, so if you can get this one for any less than that you’re going well. The auctions end on Feb 07, 2013 @ 17:30:18 PST, so get on it now.
Here’s part of the description of it from the seller’s listing:
1937 Parker Double Barrel Shotgun Catalog
“This is a all original Parker Gun Catalogue from when Remington took over production. The catalogue is in excellent condition with minimal wear , one small tear on one page…The catalog has all of the information when one was going to order one of these fine shotguns. It includes all of the grades from A1 Special to Trojan. It describes each grade in detail…”
Parkers double barrel shotguns are probably the most popular, and most collectible, of the vintage America side by sides. Here’s a good look at one of the earliest Parker designs – the Under Lifter hammergun. I handled a number of under-lifter Parkers. They’re surprisingly easy to open/close.
