I'm not sure I follow you Austin. Are you saying a gun made prior to 1878 could have a patent date not yet arrived? I can see if they went back at a later time for repairs and the locks were replaced with newer ones.

To change subjects for a second; Was John Stokes American born, or did he emigrate from England? There was a John Stokes, Lockmaker, in Darleston, Staffs. I remember running across this when trying to find info on a grandfather clock I have that was made in the same town. The town doesn't exist now, being absorbed into Walsall, or one of the other Brum communities. I spent a lot of time there when I represented a foundry in Burton, just to the west.

Nevermind. I see where you indicated they were probably updated.

http://www.localhistory.scit.wlv.ac....ton/Growth.htm
From the first paragraph:
"Gunlock makers usually supplemented their income by doing other types of work, because the gun trade suffered from periods of depression. A typical worker was John Stokes....."
Probably the father of Parker's JS

Bruce, I would rather see the beautiful stock for that gun, 10ga I believe, give it up, some photo's please!

Lock Updates
 

Edgar; I have two 3000 Parkers , 3083 and 3215 which have both rebounding hammers and the fore end latch.
I had access to an early order book while researching an article for PP. I followed 3215 through three updates. This gun is shown in both TPS and Serialization

Best, Austin