Charlie, the order I spoke of was specific to 4 8 gauges serialed consecutively as 74619, 20, 21, and 22. This order came in on 8/25/92 and was no. 50473. The order was listed in Factory book 31, page 213.

thanks bill for setting me straight i was so excited about you posting this that i just assumed it was one of the sixthat i have 2 of...only this evening i was going trru the 8 ga list and i dicovered in one order that there was 10 consexitve guns in order made and even some more...i knew i had made a mistake in posting this evening...but thanks i just wish i new how many of these old guns have survived i know there is more than 100 of them in some kind of condition....i use to keep up with all the 8 ga s i seen for sell or if some one posted they had one i wish i had kept up but i have not in the last coupla years..i would estimate there is at lkeast 200 of these gun s in that have survived....charlie

John, Wonderful research. We had a John Lovell hardware store in the center of my town(Stratford,CT) for many many years. Could there be a connection?

I've come to be under the impression that the outfit John P. Lovell and Sons, so commonly encountered when researching in the late 19th century, was very much like the business built by E.T. Allen, only it was based up east in or around Boston and underwent many name changes due to changing partnerships over the years. Hard to say if there's any direct connection, as in your local store being owned by a descendant, for instance. I would guess the original business ceased operations upon the sale to Iver Johnson in 1900, but I've seen no documentation to support that theory.

Here's a brief history of the outfit, as near as I've been able to determine it: 1840-Began operations as Grover & Lovell at 145 Washington Street, Boston, MA.; 1850-Name changed to Fairbanks & Lovell; Name changed to JP Lovell & Sons. Name changed to John P. Lovell Arms Co. (may have been bought by Charles J Godfrey Stores). 1894-Opened branch in Portland ME, may have made some shotguns there. 1900-Sold to Iver Johnson's Arms and Cycle Works. John P. Lovell died on July 29th, 1897.

John
Your research would make a wonderful PP article.

In the 1880's, I believe, John P. Lovell in Boston burned down and many Parkers (don't know what state of condition they may have been in as a result of the fire) were sent back to Meriden for credit.




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That left me momentarily speechless, George, and thank you. I can't imagine a higher compliment being made than just the suggestion of that! Well, I suppose actually getting it published would do, right?. :cheers: