The intentional lack of engraving on higher grade guns (guns which ordinarily would be engraved in keeping with the standards) are surely a rarity. This rarity factor would clearly make them more valuable to those that want to assemble a collection of out-of-the-norm guns finished as intended, as opposed to simple errors. However, my appreciation is in the details of the quality of fit and finish, where stockmakers and engravors worked to the upper limits. These special ordered 'plain' guns would be lost on me. This notwithstanding, I find it very interesting to know of this facet of the company's history.

Edgar, there seems to be a more positive outlook toward unengraved best guns in Great Britain than here. The Purdeys with largely unengraved, blued frames are quite striking, in my opinion. Many of them have deeply carved breech balls though.

I wonder if these Parkers were ordered to get a "better" grade of steel in the barrels at a lower cost.

Bill, Not that I need to be reminded of all the dumb sales I've made, but if you told me every day, and I had a buck for every time I said "I wish I'd never sold....." I still couldn't buy back any of them. I had a plain jane William Ford 20 bore, smooth as a baby's bottom, and just couldn't get excited about it. Hand detachable sidelock, straight stockand 30" barrels, with hinged front trigger. It probably didn't want to be seen with me any less than me with it, but man, was selling that gun ever a mistake.

Gents, We must remember that Parker Bros. would supply the customer with anything they wanted within reason of course. We have a member with a great 26" 12 gauge VHE that letters as having been ordered with C grade wood and checkering. What a great gun.

Robert, $22.50 discount on the $150.00 C Grade wouldn't have qualified for "better barrels at lower cost". Unfortunately, there was no clue about the reason for the lack of engraving on the C Grade. The person ordering the gun was an active duty company grade commissioned officer in the northern plains. Maybe he didn't want to have an extravigant looking gun to accompany his senior officers on Great Plains bird hunts. This has always been my take on the order, but who knows.

Well, one thing about "people" is never say never concerning their behavior and/or taste.