Not so typical GHE?

[CHE]

Doesn't someone here know who has the original Parker matting machine? If so lets just ask him. and settle the issue of cutting or pressing

[Bill Murphy]

There are matting machines out there, in use. Unfortunately, Edgar and I had forgotten that they were cutters, not pushers. It's hell getting old. It is debated whether the first factory vent rib Parkers were built on standard frames or flat frames. If we can put enough early vent rib guns together, we may answer the question. The Valinski Damascus gun is so early and so different from other vent rib guns (at the breech), that I am guessing that gun was made as a vent rib gun. I am also guessing that the McCormack BHE may have been made as a vent rib gun, maybe the first one, because of certain features and items of provenance.

[edgarspencer]

Jeez, I'm forgetting stuff right and left.