Here it is again, from 1877, #10250.

Hmmmm....a damaged '4' die, or the same person using the exact same technique when stamping numbers, that is, holding the die at an angle when striking.

More likely to be a chipped die. There are a few of them noted in TPS and elsewhere.

Just a quick follow-up on the barrels in question. I received the research letter for #5045, and Stock Book #2 lists them as 30" length "Twist Vulcan Steel". [Note that the top rib, as previously mentioned, is engraved 'Stub Twist'.] Chokes were patterned to 140 #8 pellets in 24" circle at 45 yards for both RH and LH barrel.

I've never heard the term 'Vulcan Steel' used together with 'Twist' before. Maybe someone else has seen/heard that particular phrase?

The man to pose that question to would be tha man who signed your research letter. Mark Conrad has probably read and studied more stock book entries and order book entries than anyone else in the Parker Gun Collectors Association. I would shoot him a PM or simply ask him openly on this forum what his experience has been regarding "Twist Vulcan Steel" entries in the books.

VULCAN STEEL
 

I remember reading of Parker using the term "from Vulcan's forge" about earlier barrels, but abandoning it because Remington was using a similar term.

Best, Austin

Another Parker mystery to solve!