BH Have you seen this before???

[Craig Larter]

OK I am looking at a very early BH 572XX (1889), One concern I have is there is no engraving at the breech end of the barrels like you would expect on any Parker I have ever seen. Has anyone ever seen a very early graded hammerless gun without the engraving at the breech end of the barrels?? Does this look correct?? Thanks Craig
http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t2/clarter/100310092-3-L_zps89b55310.jpg

[Dave Suponski]

Craig,You mean like this?

[Dean Romig]

Craig, like Dave's BH your barrels are obviously "Finest Damascus" (D6 I believe) and often identified by the DD stamp on the flat of the right barrel. Most all other hammerless Damascus barrels are stamped with a single D.

[Dave Suponski]

Better picture

[Craig Larter]

OK thanks so what you are saying is the damascus grade (pattern) looks correct for a BH but how about no band engraving at the breech end of the barrels??

[Dave Suponski]

Craig, If you look closely at my lousy pictures you will see that there is indeed an engraved band at the breech.My B is in the 84,000 serial range quite possibly earlier guns were made sans breech engraving.

[Steve Huffman]

Dave I think what Craig is saying is that there is No engraving at the breech end in his picture .

[Dave Suponski]

Thanks Steve,That is what I was trying to say.

[Dave Suponski]

Craig, If you look at the 10 gauge B that is talked about on the "ForSale' forum.Serial number 59425 the gun has the engraved breech

[Craig Larter]

OK so the BH I pictured has no engraving at the breech end of the barrels--what I am trying to determine is #1 has anyone seen that before on a very early hammerless gun? Question 2 if the gun has all the normal stamps on the barrel flats but without the engraving at the breech would that be a deal killer for you? Thanks

[Daryl Corona]

Craig;
Would'nt be a deal killer for me. Sounds like a nice gun.

[Mark Ouellette]

If every thing else checks out then it is just an uncommon variation. Use it to negotiate the price.

The 6 blade Damascus is darn nice!

[David Holes]

I would check the match between barrels and frame, when assembled. If frame is higher then barrels, they have probably been buffed out and engraving removed. If barrels and frame are even then they probably were not engraved from the begining.

[Dean Romig]

Craig, it certainly would not be a deal killer for me. We have seen variations from the norm on guns all the way up to the A1S Grade. With Parkers we 'never say never'. Take a look at Parker number 168304, The Czar's Parker if you want to see a couple of variations, and that one is an A1S.

[Dave Suponski]

Wouldn't be a deal killer for either.

[Rich Anderson]

I wouldn't let it bother me.