I was determined to get it because of the butt stock quality. The flame feather crotch wood on this one rates among the finest, reminiscent of the best graded Winchester stocks of that era.

Bruce here's a Grade 2 12 gauge from 1881 that has pretty good wood on it as well.

The wood was what I attracted me, along with the fact that I have another 10 gauge only a couple of hundred numbers below this one that is a Grade 3 and is almost a duplicate except for the barrel steel and grade.
I wasn't willing to go too hard for it since I do have an 1874 which is also almost a duplicate of it (no grade in 1874 but the dollar grade I have is the equivalent from that year). That gun also has wood that is very close in color and grain to the one you got.
They put some really attractive wood on those early upscale lifters.

Some measurements:
 

The shotgun is scheduled to arrive tomorrow. I'm looking foreward to having it in my hands for evaluation and cleaning. Stout gun, over 10lbs. I'm very curious to learn the gun's origin, letter sent for. It must certainly be difficult reading those 140 year old ledger books.
Some details from the original listing:
Bore: 10 Gauge
Barrel 30"
Chamber: 2-5/8"
Weight: 10lbs. 2.5oz.
Chokes:
Left Barrel: .030" Light Full
Right Barrel: .020 Modified
Drop at Comb: 1-3/4"
Drop at Heel: 2-7/8"
LOP: 14"/13-1/8"

The "Parker Story" lists 894 Lifter Action Grade 2 Hammer Guns manufactured with 30" Damascus barrels in 10 Gauge. In comparison, 30” 12 Gauge Grade 2 Damascus guns totaled 1670.

Pardon, but how does one know who is bidding on what on gunbroker?

Log in and click on "Bid History".

It usually shows only first and last letters and a bunch of asterisks, is this a premium membership type thing?

I just went to the auction and went to “Bid History” and the bidder’s nicknames were clearly shown. Sorry, I don’t have an answer for you.

Shotgun in hand:
 

Most of the advertised descriptions were correct. The bores are better than expected, no worries about wall thickness or previous honing. Sometimes you get a gun and the only things you can do are clean the bores, oil the metal and wipe down the wood. I can’t think of any reasons to try and improve this one. Edit: I did clean up the rusty skeleton butt plate, however gently with Hoppes and oil, no buffing. When I get some 2-5/8” brass 10 gauge shells this heavy gun will get a workout. At over ten pounds, recoil will be tame with square one ounce loads.
The grip cap is definitely steel and some of the plating remains (cap screw too), nickel or silver. I will share the PGCA letter when it arrives. I’m hoping for a good one.
One aspect I haven’t mentioned, the size of the butt stock is much larger than my 1-1/2 frame 12 gauge. It’s way taller and wider, a taste of what the 8 gauge guys shoulder.

You got a beauty! Definitely a Grade 2.

And you'll definitely want Breck Gorman to refinish those barrels for you.





.