That makes sense! I wonder if it’s worth sending it to a professional for appraisal? Sometimes there are hidden gems that you might miss!
Definitely! An expert can provide a valuation that considers rare features you might not be aware of.
I’ve heard some horror stories about misappraisals. Make sure to choose someone with good reviews or recommendations from other collectors.
Exactly! It’s always good to do your homework first. Plus, who doesn’t love some shotgun talk while you wait?
Speaking of shotgun talk, I once tried to appraise my grandpa’s old Parker and accidentally offered it at a garage sale for $100. I learned that one the hard way!
That’s a hilarious mistake! I bet you’d have a good story to tell at the next collector’s meetup!
All these tips are great! Just remember, appraisals can vary widely even for the same model based on condition, so factor that in when you’re researching values.
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To determine the manufacture date of your Parker shotgun, you can check the serial number against the records available in the Parker Pages website. They have a great database for this!
Thanks for the tip! I’ve also heard that contacting the Parker Gun Collector’s Association can yield useful information regarding vintage models.
You can also use the serial number to narrow it down by looking at production records from various books dedicated to Parker shotguns. They detail the years and serial ranges.
I’ve found the best resource is the ‘Parker Gun Identification Guide’—it’s super detailed and worth having on hand if you’re into collecting.
That sounds useful! Any suggestions for specific books?
The ‘Parker Shotguns’ book by Price and the ‘The Parker Story’ are both great references. You can often find them at libraries or online.
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Good point! Also, don’t forget about the importance of the condition of the shotgun as it can affect its historical value when dating it.
I didn’t realize there were so many resources! Thanks everyone for sharing!
If all else fails, you can post pictures of the shotgun and serial number on forums. Many experienced collectors can offer insights based on their knowledge.
That’s a great idea! The community is always so helpful. I’m excited to learn more about my Parker.
And hey, if your Parker’s really old, maybe it’s worth a good chunk of change! Always a plus, right?
Ha! Yes, but if it’s too valuable, I might hesitate to take it to the field. The dilemma of a collector!
True! It’s a fine line between preserving history and enjoying it.