Lifter Stamp

[Eric Estes]

I did not want to hijack Angel's for sale thread so figured I would start a new one for this question.

I have never seen the "xU" water table stamp before like on his very nice 10 ga lifter. Does anyone know off hand what exactly it stands for? Thanks.
50914

[David Noble]

I'm not sure about the x, but the U designates a 10ga grade 2 lifter.
There is a picture of this same marking in a picture of grade 2 lifters in the Parker Grades section of the home page of this site.
On it the "x" looks more like a "+"

[Dean Romig]

I have seen the U on lifters of other grades and there may be a possibility the U represents Underlifter. Just a thought.






.

[Robin Lewis]

I have seen the U on lifters of other grades and there may be a possibility the U represents Underlifter. Just a thought.

.

Because there were no other types of action to require an identifying mark to distinguish one from the other, this seems unlikely to me. But its seems to be the best guess I've seen to date?

[Dean Romig]

Good point Robin.

However, other manufacturers had different opening mechanisms - possibly to differentiate from those or to set the unique (and easier to operate) Parker Bros. opening mechanism off from those others .....?







..

[David Noble]

Upon some further research it appears Parker used the "U" stamp in multiple ways over time. The 1890 price list shows a quality "U" was the same as a quality "T" hammer gun but with a straight stock.

[Dean Romig]

Well that puts a damper on my Underlulifter theory. Lifters were all but phased out by 1890.






.

[Gary Carmichael Sr]

And what a shame they were phased out , to me that was the best way to open a shotgun, course if we are not vigilant, they want be any shotguns to open! everybody please get out and vote, this is the most important election in history, especially with supreme court nominations at stake! Gary