[Bruce Day]

Several of us have noticed that an A grade early hammer Parker ( dollar grade equivalent) at Griffin and Howe has generated considerable discussion. I have been requested by a small group of collectors to respond.

1. The G & H gun is SN 6966. TPS p. 596 identifies this piece as one that was displayed at the Parker Brothers exhibit at the Centennial Exposition in Philadelphia in 1876 commemorating the one hundreth anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. The gun is identifed in the listing as Damascus, Grade 6, PG, 10, 28. The Centennial Exposition is the first known Parker show display and featured Parker's newest and best.

2. SN 6966 has flat and intricately engraved sideplates. The gun was inspected at G & H on July 18 by a significant collector who verifies that the sideplates are not stepped.

3. There are no Parkers with stepped sideplates that are known to Parker collectors.

I have attached a series of photos. The first is the composite photo of SN 6966 taken from the G & H website. Next is a Lefever with stepped sideplates. Following the Lefever is a series of high grade Parkers showing details of the sideplates.

Yours in Parkers,
Bruce Day