Matching #'s (frame, forend iron, bbls, trigger guard) are something that even a shooter grade gun needs to keep any respectable value.
Most other parts are #'d but you have to start takeing things apart to see the #'s. IIRC, you should be able to see at least part of the trigger plate # down through the frame cut in on the flats.
Stock is #'d in the trigger guard tang cut if you want to check. The grade should be stamped there too, in number form,,sideways usually to the ser# up close to the rear tang of the action.
Vulcan Steel is the trade name for the steel used in a (steel barrel) VH/VHE grade. Other grade guns used a different trade name steel in the barrel address.
The 16's were built on at least 2 different frame sizes. As with most any small bore Parker, the money goes to the smaller frame sizes. I think the standard frame size 16ga was the '2' and the smaller was the '3' (but check it out to make sure). The frame size is stamped on the bottom of the bbl lug.
Frame size gets smaller as the number gets larger. There are '1/2' sizes too.
If the gun is equipted with ejectors,,more money of course. It's a VHE grade then. Without ejectors (plain extactors) it's a VH grade.
BBls were for the most part standard lengths,,26, 28, 30,,etc,though a very few special order lengths exist.
The matting on the top rib should NOT extend to the very tip of the muzzle. There should be a space of perhaps 1/8" give or take between the muzzle and the end of rhe matting. A hand cut line accross the rib marks the end of the machine cut matting pattern.
There looks to be a 'X' marked accross the bottom of the action/frame. If it is indeed scribed or scratched into the metal,,that'll detract from even a shooter for most all buyers.
The VH engraving was only a simple wriggle cut border pattern with some single line cuts and a very few leaf cuts here and there. They vary alot.
Both sides (Meriden production) are supposed to have 'Parker Bros.' hand cut on them. Once in a great while one is seen with one side missing or the lettering misplaced from the other side. Mistakes happened. All was not perfect in Parkerville.
The chipped and broken Dogs Head butt plates (hard rubber) are common. As stated,,repros are available. Some have the spur on top,,I believe late production didn't(?). There are different sizes for different size butt stocks.
The small initial plate is original, or at least one was there when the gun was built. The wood looks pretty good from the pics.
Lock up and mechanics are of prime interest to a shooter of course. Parkers have a replaceable locking surface on the barrel after a certain ser# and some other things can be done to correct a loose gun.
But replaceing a hinge pin (joint roll) to correct a gun that's off face on a Parker is not as simple a job as say an LC Smith or Fox.
None are a cheap fix if you have to do them at all.
Bore condition is also a prime concern as is wether they have been altered. Alot of the early guns may have had their chambers lengthened to 2 3/4" and/or forcing cones lengthened. Bored honed out to remove pitting are not uncommon.
These are all things a Parker buyer may ask about when inquiring,,even for a shooter.. They quite possibly may want to know bore , choke & chamber measurment dimentions.
I'd guess it's a gun in the just under a $1000 range if it's an unaltered piece and still mechanically tight & sound VH grade on a standard frame. The lack of finish and the 'X' on the bottom detract as does the broken BP.
Add if it's the small frame version,,and/
or it's an ejector gun.
Subtract if alterations have been done to the gun or it needs work to put it into shooting shape.
Just my guess of course
Last edited by 2152hq; 01-10-2011 at 06:29 PM.
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