Is it possible that Parker didn,t have a roll stamp for Bernard guns? Does anyone have one?[/QUOTE]

Sure. A 1905 CHE Bernard with roll stamped rib and arrows.

I'm putting my money on they didn't have one in 1896. There really isn't a valid explanation other than what Dave has suggested, unless it was ordered "engrave rib".

What is the serial number of the earliest hammerless Parker with Bernard barrels that had the rib roll stamped? This may help to determine if Dave's suggestion is the answer.

They had a roll stamp for Bernard Steel in 1903.(119760)

My 1897 two barrel set seems to be roll stamped with quadruple fletched arrows. However, the owners name seems to be engraved in a backhand style and in a different font to the left of the Parker roll. Do I win the "earliest roll stamp award"?

Larry, are both barrel sets roll stamped?

All contestants will be notified at the end of the competition. In the case of a tie there will be a shoot-off . . . winner take all. Good luck Bill :corn:

Yes Dean, both sets are marked identically. I was thinking about bringing the gun to Pintail for the banquet display of 16 gages.

That would be very fitting.

It is my opinion that the very first Parker sixteen gauge should be the centerpiece of the PGCA Banquet theme but it might be a "no show" through no fault of it's conservator.

Yes and if the earliest roll stamp is later than 1896 I win and the gun should be immediatly sent to me! :rolleyes:

I've read TPS about rib legends and how they were applied but there is nothing definitive written there. TPS states that the roll stamping started in 1879 and that engraved rib legends ended about that time but that doesn't take into account the fact that comparatively few Parkers were made with Bernard barrels - hence the lack of necessity of a roll die for these barrels until it became apparent that they would continue to produce Bernard barreled guns for about another twenty years after 86088 was produced. And why would they make a roll die for the equally uncommon Whitworth barrels or rarer still, Peerless barrels?

Anyone have other ideas or thoughts?