parker serial number application

[gman]

I am curious as to how serial numbers on older Parker guns were applied. i have an 1883 #2 grade hammer gun with damascus barrels where all the serial numbers match. The gun is very tight with some nice case color remaining, locks up real tight and shoots fine. The serial number on the barrel has one digit that is a little crooked but is of the same font and curls as the others. It is located tightly in the 90 degree angle between the barrel and the vertical plates. Someone looked at the gun and raised the question of numbers being changed on a later second barrel and then added on to the gun. The more I look the more I think not but it did raise the question of how numbers were marked then and in addition how the later roll marks were applied. i would be interested if others could share some info on this.
thank you