I believe that to be the $200 grade, as lifters were dollar graded. TPS p. 235. In letter grade equivalents, it would be a B grade. But somebody who really knows their lifters( not me) may be able to tell better.
$200 for a shotgun in the 1870's? When a person could buy a Winchester or Colt shotgun for what, $25? Must have been some sportsman. LtCol Custer went on a little jaunt to Montana in 1876, so it puts the date in context. Most of his troop used those clunky single shot trap door Springfields and a few used the brass framed Winchesters. This Parker is still a modern configuration, usable sporting arm and if a person has not manipulated the lifter mechanism, he is in for a treat. Too bad Custer did not see fit to restrict his visit to fly fishing on the nearby Big Horn River, as many sportsmen do now.
The ring of arrows is interesting, kind of like "punch here".
Last edited by Bruce Day; 12-23-2009 at 08:36 AM..
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