I phoned him last night and he told me that the serial# on the frame, barrels and forearm all match # 76844. The v stamped on the barrel flats doe that stand for vulcan and if so would they put vulcan barrels on a DHE? This is a very nice gun wouldn't mined owning it some day if it the real thing.

It is not unusual for PB to install Vulcan Steel barrels on a higher grade gun. The question is "Did PB install the barrels on this gun?". The character of the stamped numbers, the quality of fit, and some other factors enter into valuation and proved originality. Pictures will show us whether the ejectors were of Parker design. A PGCA letter may document every modification as original.

It might be 4-5 weeks before I see the gun again, but the next time I go I will take a camera. Is there any other things I should be taking a closer look at?

What is the marking on the top rib, Titanic Steel or Vulcan Steel ? Depending on when it was sent back, either before 1897 where it couldn't have Titanic Steel and Vulcan Steel may have been the only lower priced fluid steel barrels available at the time. If the fluid steel barrels were fitted after 1897 it could have been Titanic but maybe the owner opted for the less expensive Vulcan barrels.

Nathan: Dean is right. What kind of steel is marked on the top rib? If it was done by Parker it should be "Titanic Steel" A close inspection of the serial numbers should tell you if the re-barreling was done by Parker. How is the overall fit of the barrels to the receiver?
What serial number is on the forearm iron?

Best Regards, George

Had an other chance to look at the 16 ga. It is not a DHE it is a DH Vulcan steel barrels all serial # match. The thing that bothers me is the trigger guard, the engraving is much sharper an there is an N infrount of the serial # N76844 is that normal. He tells me that he will get a letter to prove that is original. I guess we will see what happens

Nathan: The Parker serialization book lists the gun76844 as a "D3" or D Grade 12 gauge gun with 30 inch Damascus barrels. It could be that the Vulcan Steel barrels were fitted by Parker to replace the original Damascus barrels. The gun also is listed as an extractor and not an ejector. What is the frame size (should appear on the bottom of the barrel lug)? A PGCA letter would be a good investment for either you or the seller.

Best Regards, George

# 1 frame, straight stock.

The "N" prefix is common on early guns.

It is actually an "No". You will notice an "o" bisected by the upswept vertical line of the N creating a stylized No, the abbreviation of "number".