Thank you to all that have commented. I'd planned to post again sooner but we're digging out of over 2' of snow here in upstate NY.
The serial number of this 10 ga. lifter is #4084, built in 1874. I know very little of the gun as there were no order books at that time. I wonder what Expos, Fairs or other prominent events may have been happening at that time that could have influenced this guns engraving? I too wondered if it was a "Friday Gun" and the extra adornments came about that way?
Of particular uniqueness with this gun is the variety of border types used on the lock plates. I do not recall seeing other guns with as many different types of border engravings on the lock plate as seen here. For a "D" grade type gun this has the typical sporting dog engravings as the base theme or concept, but then you see this unique creative aspect to the rear of the lock plate as well as the top tang area above the hammers. Was this a sort of special order, was it influenced by a significant expo or event, was it the engraver sort of doodling and honing his skills, trying new things?? I find it interesting as so many of these early guns are, especially those engraved by Jacob Glahn. This man's personality is expressed in my gun to some degree as well as many others he engraved. I find it interesting to try and speculate what may have been the influences for this gun.
I find Mr. Glahn a very interesting person, I admire all the guns he's engraved that I have seen. He must have been in his early 40's when my gun was engraved, was he a master engraver at that time? I know he moved on to other gun companies, in particular LC Smith and I thought Colt also? Maybe someone can confirm.
I've attached a few more pics of the gun and one of Mr. Glahn. Maybe with the full set of gun pics someone could speculate what might have influenced the engravings of this gun. Thanks to all who reply.
