Well, it was ordered from baucher bros. In june 1883. The letter is at my parents but he said it is a P hammerless? The hammers added later or is it a mistake. Weighs almost 15 lbs., plain twist barrels-did they stamp the grade on this gun and where can i find it, 90% of case colors under forearm and some by barrel lug. Bore has some minor pitting but definately shootable. Hasnt been shot since1967. All proofs are nice on goes back to1875. I wish i knew more. Is the grade of the shotgun stamped on the lug where the frame size stamp is? Confused.

If the grade is stamped, it will be stamped on the water table of the action. Before worrying much about other details, get the letter and the gun in one place and tell us what you see. The "proofs" you refer to are probably patent dates which don't tell a lot about an individual gun. A 15 pound eight gauge would be an exceptionally heavy Parker. Your gun, if characteristic of the gauge, would more likely weigh from 11 to 12 1/2 pounds.

The letter says 14 lbs 8ozs. As far as memory goes i dont think anything is stamped on watertable. Along with the 7 stamped on the lug there is also a 2 in a circle.

If you give me the serial number, maybe I can clear up the confusion on grade. If you don't want the serial number made public, e-mail me at pgcaresearch@verizon.net

A picture of 8 gauge Winchester shell from Aaron

http://i557.photobucket.com/albums/s...302_193257.jpg

14-8 is a heavy Parker eight.

just the rite weight to tame those big loads of shot...the barrels must weigh close to 10 lbs ...bills right about most parker 8 ga weigh in around 12 to 12 1/2 lbs...me i like them heavy weight guns..do you know the chamber lengths..hope you have 4 inch but this is rare most are 3 1/4 inch..the 2 old parkers i have are 3 1/4 and the old f a loomis is 3 1/2 inch...i seen a modern day single barrel 8 ga the other day on auction site that was listed with a 4 1/2 inch chamber....charlie

It states in the letter 14 lbs and some odd ounces. All i can,say is it's a beast. I just leave it broken down in the safe. Is there anything i should know about proper cleaning? Thanks.

Keep it rubbed down with an oily rag. When you find time, try to scrub the bores out with some oil soaked steel wool on the end of a long dowel. I would tell you to use a bronze brush, but such brushes are hard to find that large. As long as you get brown oil on the steel wool, you have rust in the barrel. Take your time and be thorough. We would like to know more about your letter. Our researcher is looking it up, but may not share with us. Where is Baucher Brothers and is that the correct spelling?

Stay tuned, I'm looking it up!