You have the worst type of serial number for causing confusion with these early Parkers. Full of zeros, sixes, nines and eights. All can be confused for something else upside down.

Agreed! I'm not really sure what I'm looking at anyway! Thanks for your reply.

On these early Parkers, the serial numbers can, at times, be a little confusing. But there are also a number of various markings seen on these early guns that the meaning of which are not known.

Jack, I am trying to find the photos you posted previously maybe Dean can help me here? you might see my post about my two early back action guns both are chambered for the 12-B shell, and the ser # are found in several places on the guns, my question does any body have a letter on a back action gun with the O prefix, there are back action guns that should have info on them, Gary

Also I believe that the O prefix is the first number, sure you can read some of the numbers upside down, but 029 is what it is and can not be read upside down, and 4 digit numbers when read with the O last would put them in the 4,000 range and no back action I know of is in that range, Gary

Thanks so much for trying to help me out, Gary.

Actually Jack you have raised a very interesting question we all have been trying to figure out, just a lot of speculation and no hard facts so far, and by the way I went to your album nice gun! Gary

Thanks again, Gary. I hate to be the dullest light in the house, but what question are you referring to?

About serial numbers with an O prefix, there are others with B,A, do not know what they mean at this time, Gary

Gotcha! Thanks so much, and I would be very interested if you find out any more info. regarding these prefixes, etc.
By the way, I read somewhere that the letter prefixes refer to the type of brass shell the gun is chambered for--don't know if this is correct or not....I just remember reading it.