interesting - what gauge and what is the serial number?

12ga SN# 58509, ordered in November 1889, delivered January 1890.

Chris, do you have a research letter on that gun? It may have been specially ordered that way but it isn't likely that a letter might mention that. That said, it is an early one and it is not especially unusual to find Grade 3 guns of that vintage to have "unusual" floor plate engraving motifs. Later Grade 3 guns normally display four birds in flight - either four ducks, four pheasants, four sharptail grouse or whatever. Yours was made during a period of transition in engraving themes and motifs. The early DH guns also were not as elaborately engraved as were DH's made even just five or six years later. It is fun to study these Grade 3's

Dean-

I do have a letter, it does not mention any special engraving. The engraving is a setter on the bottom, setter on the right side and a pointer on the left.

Would you like to see a D hammer gun?

Well DUH. :rotf:

Have we ever said "please don't show us that Parker" :corn:

Uh, I have to leave the computer for a moment to go to the restroom. Please don't post those D hammer gun pics while I'm away!

Here is the setter on my 1910 D---one of the nicer Parker dogs in my opinion---
http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t...ParkerdogD.jpg

That particular engraver (from just after the turn of the century into the early 'teens) is a favorite among Parker collectors who have a keen eye for engraving.

This is the setter on my C from the same period 1907---appears to be by a different hand than the D above and not as well done
-----I prefer the engraving style on the D
http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t...ParkerdogC.jpg