Value of this Parker Brothers SxS 20g.

[rouchna]

My neighbor inherited this Parker Brothers from his Grandfather. He would like to know an approximate value. He would also like to shoot it if possible. As you can see by the pictures below, there is some pitting in the bore along with small surface rust. Otherwise, it is gorgeous. Here is the info he's been able to find so far.

Parker Brothers 20 gauge SXS
Ser# puts manufacturing date at 1901
VH Grade
Vulcan Steel
31" Barrel/no chokes.

Here are some pictures: Please let me know your thoughts. Is it worth restoring it so he can shoot it or will that hurt the value? Thanks for all your help. He's a real good guy and would like to help him get this info if possible.

 

[BlackBart]

Looks like a VH grade.......... 79K made various gauges, at 10% Blue Book has it at $2750 but you have some serious issues in that bore. Most common sxs made but still a looker.

 

[Augie]

Not a Parker expert so just some observations. Looks like stock has been heavily sanded, pretty sure all Parkers were checkered. As Bart noted bore looks nasty, may just be a build up of fouling and just need a very good cleaning or it's pitted.
The old guns would build up fouling right there at the forcing cones.
31" would not be a common length, also what is meant by no chokes, all old shotguns had fixed chokes, replaceable choke tubes were a later invention.
Sub-gauges are desirable so as long as the metal is not badly pitted the gun is probably still worth 1200 to 1700 even with the issues.

 

[rouchna]

Thank you both. I will tell him to clean the bore to get an accurate picture of the pitting. I know Parker Bros made some non-checkered stocks but don't know if this one was or not. As far as he knows, it's all original.
As for the chokes, It looks like normal shotgun barrels with no fixed chokes but I may be wrong. I don't know much about these shotguns that's why I posted it here. Thanks again.

Is it worth having it restored or should he keep it the way it is?

 

[Bob A]

A look at the top of the gun when it is locked up will tell you how worn the locking mechanism might be. Also you could judge the state of the wood/metal joint, which looks like it might have a bit of a problem.

A look at the end of the barrels would tell you how well they were cut down. Is there a bead front sight?

Does the gun have ejectors, or just an extractor? Couldn't quite tell from the photo. Big diff in value with ejectors.

Gun has zero bluing or case colors, looks fairly cruddy, so I assume it hasn't been carefully dealt with. A lot of junk can accumulate in a hundred years, and some of it can cause problems.

Lack of checkering seems odd.

There's useful info stamped into the metal at the bottom of the barrels. A pic would show it.

A program of restoration would probably not be worth what you spent on it. It would be a job for a specialist if it's done right, and if not done right, why bother? It's a shooter, assuming it works. As such, a worthwhile gun. Since it's a 20 ga, it has value even though it has its problems. I'd take it to a gunsmith who knew Parkers, get it checked over thoroughly, and enjoy it as-is, if it was mine. No steel shot, please.

 

[TomisinMd]

Nice looking SxS! It does look like sanding on the stock, as well as all the metal surfaces too. This would be a fun shooter if it checks out.

 

[rouchna]

A look at the top of the gun when it is locked up will tell you how worn the locking mechanism might be. Also you could judge the state of the wood/metal joint, which looks like it might have a bit of a problem.

A look at the end of the barrels would tell you how well they were cut down. Is there a bead front sight?

Does the gun have ejectors, or just an extractor? Couldn't quite tell from the photo. Big diff in value with ejectors.

Gun has zero bluing or case colors, looks fairly cruddy, so I assume it hasn't been carefully dealt with. A lot of junk can accumulate in a hundred years, and some of it can cause problems.

Lack of checkering seems odd.

There's useful info stamped into the metal at the bottom of the barrels. A pic would show it.

A program of restoration would probably not be worth what you spent on it. It would be a job for a specialist if it's done right, and if not done right, why bother? It's a shooter, assuming it works. As such, a worthwhile gun. Since it's a 20 ga, it has value even though it has its problems. I'd take it to a gunsmith who knew Parkers, get it checked over thoroughly, and enjoy it as-is, if it was mine. No steel shot, please.

Nice looking SxS! It does look like sanding on the stock, as well as all the metal surfaces too. This would be a fun shooter if it checks out.

Thank you both for your responses. My neighbor found a Parker Bros expert in Winchester, VA. He's going to take it to him and have him check it out.

 

[ohen cepel]

Does the bead on the barrels look original?
Is the metal between the barrel at the muzzle engraved?
If not, the barrels may have been cut down at sometime. puts a big hit in it's value if so.

 

[rouchna]

Does the bead on the barrels look original?

Is the metal between the barrel at the muzzle engraved?

If not, the barrels may have been cut down at sometime. puts a big hit in it's value if so.

The bead is missing. As for the metal between the barrel, yes it is engraved. See pic 7.