10 ga hammer gun

[Jack Kuzepski]

Gentlemen,

I am new to Parkers and have a few questions concerning my 10 ga hammer gun. The serial is 55249, it has a fish tail top lever, 30" twist barrels. I assume it is a R grade as it has 2 small scroll areas on the locks and just some light lines on the hammers and the underside of the action. Was the grade on hammer guns marked on the frame or barrels? I also saw that the barrels were 5 lb 2 oz before being struck and the frame size is 3. The gun weighs in the 10 lb range so am assuming that it is considered a heavy 10 ga.
What is the purpose of the fishtail top lever? When the action is closed there is some slight play (wiggle) in the barrels, what can be done to tighten the action? The wood is in reasonably good shape although the checkering is filled in (with dirt, grime, etc) , what is the proper or best way to have that cleaned without having the stock refinished and recheckered?

Thanks,

Jack Kuzepski