Post subject: What is my Parker Bros Shotgun Worth?

I have a 12 ga double barrell Parker Bros shotgun. I believe it to be from the 1930's. It is hammerless. I do not know a lot about shotguns, but i have heard that it is valuable. It was handed down and i am just wondering if i need to insure it. Anybody know what it is worth?

Post subject: Re: What is my Parker Bros Shotgun Worth?

There are so many different grades of Parker Bros. hammerless doubles that we really need several pictures to tell you very much. We also need the exact wording on the rib between the barrels, the serial number, and the markings on the barrel flats and the watertable (the flat part of the receiver the barrel flats close down upon). The 12-gauges were the most common, so draw the least money nowadays, but still a 12-gauge Parker could be less then $1000 or more the $100000. The important things in a Parker are condition, originality, condition, grade, condition, barrel length, condition, grip style, condition, options, and condition!!!
Go here http://parkerguns.org/ and do both the picks in the left colume 'Parker Identification' and 'Parker Grades'

Post subject: Re: What is my Parker Bros Shotgun Worth?

I dont have pictures yet, but i have some of the other info. On the ribbing between the barrells it says 'Parker Bros. Makers Meriden, CT USA Trojan Steel'. It has a 30' barrell and the serial number is 194996. I can't find any other markings on it except where it says 'Parker Bros' on the side in a script. As far as the condition goes, my Dad bought this gun in the late 40's or early 50's. He probably shot it 10 times till i got it, and i have shot it maybe 5 times in the last 3 years. It has been stored for the rest of the time. I am sure it is not perfect, but it is nice shape.

Post subject: Re: What is my Parker Bros Shotgun Worth?

Trojan Steel barrels were only used on Parker Bros. economy model the Trojan Grade, introduced in 1912. While the basic action was the same as other Parker Bros. hammerless guns, the receiver had less detailed profiling, the only engraving was Parker Bros. name on the sides of the reciever, and the forearm was a snap-on/off type rather then the lever-latch style used on the higher grade guns. The Trojan Grade was only offered in 12-, 16-, and 20-gauges, though the records show two 28-gauges were made. The Trojan being an economy model was only catalogued in 'standard' specifications. The 12-gauges were all built on 2-frames the 16-gauges on 1-frames and the 20-gauges on 0-frames. I use the word 'all' very advisedly in the previous sentence, as nothing is absolute in these old guns. The Trojan Grade was not offered with many of the options that were available on other Parker Bros. doubles -- automatic ejectors, vent ribs, beavertail forearms or choice of grip style. In the Remington years, the Trojan Grade was offered with the Parker single selective trigger, but only a handful were so made. There were just over 33,000 Trojan Grade Parker Bros. doubles built, and the 30-inch barrel 12-gauge was the most popular with just under 12,000 made, followed by the 28-inch barrel 12-gauges with 8,220. When originally introduced the Trojan Grade was only offered in 12-gauge with 28- or 30-inch barrels, and the 16- and 20-gauges only with 28-inch barrels. Later 26-inch barrels were added to the offerings in all three gauges. Your gun with serial number 194996 would be about a 1921-vintage gun. The Parker Gun Collectors Association has factory records for your serial number and you could order a research letter from them. There is a picture of a really high condition Trojan Grade on their home page as their December gun of the month -- http://parkerguns.org/