Dean, I don't think I agree with that "small frame theory" I also have a 3 frame 10 with the fishtail top lever. Serial 75,something.

Dave, you may not remember this, but when you were younger you could have told us the whole serial number from memory. 75 something....... they do say the the mind is the SECOND thing to go.

i too have a 3 frame with a fishtail,s/n ? well it was made in 1891 that i do know, my mind was the 1st to go , most all the other things work just fine:rotf: scott

Seems to me you and I aren't that far apart in age Robin....so if your memory is so good.....well you know......:whistle:

Scott, Not to worry... The mind thing is an symptom of Parker-Fever...

Same here, serial# 51xxx

Gentlemen and 'Doubting Thomases"; Please consult your "Bible" Vol. 1, pgs. 112 & 126 for a full explanation of the "Hooked Top Lever". As stated, Parker Brothers had a surplus of hooked top levers and used them on more and more guns including hammerless guns (and may I add 'larger frame' guns as well) so, as I stated before, it isn't an absolute to a specific frame size, but an observation of mine.

here is a picture of the top lever on my Parker 10

http://i397.photobucket.com/albums/p...ahspics041.jpg

Nice picture!

Gents, check your hammers I have a couple guns that have the hammer on the right side ground out! but yet they still have "fishtail levers". This work was obviously done at the factory because they are identical in location of the indentation. and several thousand serial numbers apart. I will check further to see the frame size both are 12 ga.

Top Levers
 

Serial Number Frame Size Lever Type Opens When Right Hammer Cocked?

26145 1 Straight Yes

31747 1 Straight Yes

39315 1 Straight Yes

46024 3 Straight No

51702 3 Fishtail Yes

55036 2 Fishtail Yes

59569 2 Fishtail No

69017 1 Fishtail No

159157 2 Fishtail No

Best, Austin