There are early guns that will letter with black barrels, earlier than black barrels would normally be installed on new guns. A letter would be the only proof.

The gun I was looking at was originally a 30” Damascus gun that was re-barreled by Parker with 30” Titanic barrels. 84xxx range.

Parker made Titanic barrels factory fitted to a hammer gun would make a fine letter.

That was a typo on my part Edgar. 84xxx number

Titanic Steel barrels were introduced in 1897 and Parker continued to produce a limited number of hammer guns for many more years.





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I think it's the Serialization book that says "About 1897"

…which quotes “The Parker Story” by Price, Mullins, et al.





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1897 must have been the year for steel barrels. Remington Arms Co. introduced their "Remington" steel and "Ordnance" steel barrels on their hammerless double in their April 1897 catalog.

Attachment 123982

Vulcan steel barrels were introduced in 1896 I believe. Serial number 82225. I own 82226 and letters to being delivered April 18 1896.
If I recall correctly there was one BhE and 12 DHE’s delivered around this time frame.

Dave do you know what year Remington started offering Ordnance steel barrels on the DEO’s?
I have two DEO’s but don't recall the year of manufacture for these Remingtons.