This gun appears to have been totally redone. These case colors are very typical of those done by Frank Lefever of Herkimer NY in the late 1950s up to the late 1960s. They are cyanide, not bone charcoal colors. (If they were original Meriden colors they would be bone charcoal). Parker Bros. dabbled in cyanide colors just before the sellout to Remington but this gun is way before that. Also, the wood is so absolutely pristine that it does not make sense for an original condition gun; oxidation alone, inside or outside of a safe, would have dulled the finish sheen long ago. Also note the extremely crisp checkering; even casual handling of "safe queens" takes off the needle-sharp points in short order. (To give credit to the consignor and the seller, it probably has not been shot since it was redone).
This gun reminds me of the very recently-PA-auctioned CHE 20ga., whose condition was advertised as "totally original, untouched", until (whoops!) a relative of the owner "seemed to remember" the owner having the gun "touched up" years and years ago. Quite appropriately, the auction house issued a revised description of the gun, which helped reign in the hysterical bidding which usually surrounds these 'virgin' guns.
But now you have a gun that all of this has already been done. It is a great looking gun and be satisfied that it is what it is and above all - enjoy it!
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