Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunter's Campfire Shotgun Sale

Posted this in shotguns, but didn’t get any hits..

Old guy, friend of my late father, wants me to sell his 1891 Parker Brothers 12 Gauge.

Should I shine the metal up before listing it, or is that something that shouldn’t be done?
If so, any recommendations on what to use?

Buy it at market value. Help out your father's friend.
Then figure out how to sell it.

I would go as is.

Do nothing to clean it up ........

Beautiful!

Any polishing or alterations to original condition will significantly affect value. Make sure to mention it has Belgian Damascus barrels.

Thanks for the replies. Yes, I’ve read up on the Damascus barrels, might be what kills any chance of selling.

Somebody mentioned not using the shotgun until the barrels are checked out..how to they check them out, do they magna-flux them? Will most gunsmiths be able to do the check that is needed?

I have a Smith & Wesson model 27 that was left to me by my uncle. It has a lot of holster wear and I considered having it re-blued by S&W. I called them and they told me not to do it, it would lower the value. I'd leave your shotgun as is.

It also has what I’m guessing in s the original leather carry case which is in fairly decent shape.

To knowledgeable person Damascus barrels do not kill anything except small game. Usually they check barrel wall thickness and condition of barrels inside (making sure there is no pitting from corrosive primers and neglect) and out. If things check out at their own risk they buy few boxes of specialty loads from RST Ltd and happily go hunting. In Europe gunsmith determines if the gun is candidate for reproof. If so the barrels go to proof house and are tested using pressure loads. When they pass proof marks are stamped on barrel flats and Old Betsy is ready to serve in the field. That is fine quality shotgun, good luck with the sale.

Do not attempt to clean or refinish the shotgun unless you are highly skilled at this... That is my opinion.

Teal put up a very cool video of an old Parker 11 gauge in the other forum.

I copied it here.

Cool video thanks for posting

Polish it up with a buffing wheel, increase value 1000%

Yep. Antiques, like rare coins, shouldn't be over cleaned or buffed.

Naturally, a standard bore, chamber, and action cleaning is fine. Exterior can be wiped, of course, and preservatives applied.

Leave as is. Use your eyes to inspect the barrel. Brass shells and Lord Black will make you smile.

I’d do nothing more than wipe it with a little Ballistol or other wood and metal friendly product like a silicon cloth.

Why not turn it over to a dealer in such stuff? Some will only charge 12-15%, and handle all the naughty bits.

No CC left, but the gun has not been abused and probably well maintained. I bet trigger plate screws are perfectly aligned like they left Meriden CT. I have strong feeling we are looking at a good classic shooter.😉

LEAVE IT ALONE.
Anything you do to "improve" the appearance will likely hurt the value.

11 Gauge in the video above... I had no idea there ever was such a thing.

Seen a couple 8s... and a 4 in a museum once. Google "Punt Gun"

Looks like a fine old gun. possibly a D grade. I'd leave it alone.