Is this a $150 Grade?

http://pic20.picturetrail.com:80/VOL.../311843790.jpg

$150 Grade or $200 Grade with 'Teardrop' bolsters?

http://pic20.picturetrail.com:80/VOL.../268456019.jpg

Drew, what is the serial number of this first picture?

Yes, I believe the sculpted breeches begin with the Grade 3 and as stated previously, get more elaborately sculpted and engraved as the grade (or dollar grade) ascends.

Thanks Dean. The contributor will need to let us know the serial number.

Is Dave Miles' 16g with Twist barrels a $100 grade?

http://pic20.picturetrail.com:80/VOL.../380437471.jpg

I'm just trying to understand and am not a Parker guy. Is the problem that Lifters were not marked as to grade and we don't know, esp the $150 and $200 grades?

It looks like a grade 2 or G which in that era I believe was a $100 gun... but it could be a grade 1. Dave is likely the guy to ask.

Drew,

The early Parkers were made of various qualities but were not graded. From 1869 through 1875 they didn't have the grades assigned as we are familiar with today. I believe it was "The Parker Story" that first tried to describe them by the asking price of the gun... thus "The Dollar Grades".

This is NOT easy to do because of discounts and variations from one gun to the next often seem upside down, meaning nicer guns priced lower than a less elaborate gun? Parkers with serial numbers lower than approximately 4500 will be "Dollar Grade" guns and not stamped with the familiar number grading system.

It can get confusing when comparing those guns.

Thanks again to all. I've revised the album and changed the captions to fit how Parker would have graded the guns based on the date of manufacture and the Price Lists shown, and would be most happy to correct any errors
http://www.picturetrail.com/sfx/album/view/19406549