Parker Hale?

[X-Rap]

My dad has a 30-06 Parker Hale that is stamped with JC Penny Co. He likes to pick up guns and clean them up as his hobbie and wants to know some history on age and value. In my recollection I don't remember JC Penny selling guns in my life time of 50 yrs. and I have never followed PH guns to much. None of his reference material gives much info.

 

[Bob R]

It is probably a commercial Mauser action, probably a Santa Barbara action, but could be an FN. If it has the thumb cutout on the left hand side of the receiver is is a military Model 98 action. I believe the Parker Hale guns came with an adjustable trigger, a mediocre trigger at best. Most were replaced at sometime. As far as value, probably somewhere around 250-400 dollars. It really depends on the market and whether or not someone realizes that is is a fairly good gun. A lot of people will be turned off by the JC Penny/Parker Hale name.

If you could take a trip in the way back machine, everybody used to sell guns. Sears, Montgomery Wards, JC Penny, Western Auto and a slew of other places. Then along came the GCA of 1968 and those places stopped selling guns IIRC.

bob

 

[williamd]

Parker Hale built some good rifles. They were very popular when I lived in Canada ... maybe because they are a UK Company. I had a few. Yes, JCP did sell guns at some stores long time ago. Competing with Sears Roebuck and Montgomery Ward. Do not think they used a Santa Barbara action .. but it is commercial Mauser. Early ones were military Mauser actions as I recall.

I had a JCP labeled 30-06 carbine built by Husqvarna on an HVA action. Now have a S&W 30-06 on the same action. Also, a S&W 243 on a Carl Gustaf action. NOT Howa's. Gun companies do some strange things.