Thoughts on a GR 1 Hammer?
 

Gentlemen,

I came across what appears to be a Grade 1 hammer gun made in 1885 and took a few pictures to share. It is a 12 ga, 30" stub twist barrels, full metal butt plate, good bores (visual inspection only) and matches the description in the serialization guide. I was not in a position to make any measurements of it beyond using a tape measure.

It is priced higher than a shooter, but less than a collectible....so I'd appreciate hearing your comments on it.

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That is a very honest gun with a lot of conditon left on it. The finishes are original. It was used a bit, but not abused. It would be a good one to pick up.

A very nice untouched hammer gun. It appears that a good cleaning is all that is necessary. I would be very happy to have that one in my collection.

For some unexplicable reason I've come to really really like top lever hammers on a 1 frame in 12 gauge regardless of the grade . :whistle:

Sadly I only have one in a Grade 2 with a major wrist repair .

If it's priced so that you can afford it, buy it(!) Regret is hard to live with. A gun is a lot easier to live with.

Well, the owner and I are going back and forth....if anyone has an opinion on what this is worth, please PM me!

Does the bit of engraving on the gun lead to the conclusion that it is a Grade 1 rather than a 0 Grade as listed in the serialization book? Or maybe it is marked 1 somewhere on the gun?

I will get the gun later this week and post better pictures which could help sort it out, but I agree that it seems to be a Grade 0.5 :)

The double line border engraving along with the Twist barrels would seem to indicate a Grade-0. It’s those little scroll flourishes on the lock plates that tend to confuse things a bit.





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There can't be that many of these around that are any cleaner than this one. I have a 32" 1883 0-grade with twist bbls that doesn't have any engraving on the side plates so this one does seem about like a 0.5-grade. It sure has been well cared for. Great gun. You won't regret buying it.