On the left action flat of my GH, the number '2' is stamped right above the serial number. Below the serial number is 'G'. On the barrels, the number '3' is right above the 'D'.

As Dean stated, D with a number close to it is the number of crolles used in making it. I had a grade 1 hammergun with D2 bbls. I've had grade 2 guns both hammer and hammerless with D3, D4 and just D. The grade of gun stamped on the barrel flat started with Grade3 guns as Dean previously posted and is stamped closer to the breech end of the barrels on the right flat.

Very interesting and educational thread. Thanks all for the pictures. My GH 16 ser#77340 is marked with just a D, but there is an asterisk above it,

There are lots of nice patterns of damascus on parkers, even between same grade and same time period.

My two 3 dog DHs were made within 10 years of each other, one in 1892 and the other in 1899. Among the variations in them is a distinctly different style of damascus patterns. I am fond of both, though the 1899 one seems to have higher contrast to the pattern.

Thank you to all who posted and especially to those who posted pictures on this thread. I never tire of looking at Damascus, especially Parkers.

I wish that I had joined this association earlier, bought the basic books such as the Parker Story 17 years ago and followed the information on this web site that has opened my eyes to collecting these beautiful shotguns-that took such craftsmanship that Parker Bros., no slouch in iron and steel, bought them from Europeans. Yeah, "Would have, should have, could have..."

I also, as a novice, have concluded that older Damascus barrels are a good argument, in this age of most always leaving it original, for sending a gun in to one of our members who are master's at the art of bringing these patterns out. I feel that this art should be visible, unless you have some historic piece.

I keep waiting for that nice grade 16 or 20 to pop up on the market with a low "do not shoot this ready to explode weapon" price, but I fear that that train has left the station a few years back.

Oh well, at least I woke up in time to snag a few nice examples.

Best regards,

Patrick Butler

They're still out there Patrick - certainly not in the numbers of a couple of decades ago, but they pop up every so often.





.

Gentlemen: we again have some confusion about barrels marked "Laminated Steel" which are most certainly not. Please see
http://parkerguns.org/forums/showthread.php?t=5520

Laminated Steel sourced in Belgium

http://pic20.picturetrail.com:80/VOL.../405985032.jpg

NOT Laminated Steel, and one of my favorite patterns called "Toncin"

http://pic20.picturetrail.com:80/VOL.../405985031.jpg


The bottom barrels Bro. Dean showed in post #32 ARE Laminated Steel, and likely were produced by Parker Bros. by John Blaze
Please see
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1...4S6OIN1bA/edit

My 1902 16 ga. GH with dual Damascus patterns

Thank you for posting that image Jeremy. Both tubes ARE Parker D4.
I added the pic here, with some other mismatched Parker D3 barrels and barrel segments, with an attribution
http://www.picturetrail.com/sfx/album/view/18015717

Here's a one off grade 2 hammerless gun which was discussed here a few months ago. This one is wearing a unique pattern for a GR-2 let alone other grades as well.

Drew could you help identify this pattern. The gun is marked on the barrel flat with a D. The top rib is marked Damascus steel as most GH guns are. The oddity is the pattern doesn't match typical Gr-2 guns and one tube has a Birmingham provisional proof mark stamped in the underside of the tube ahead of the barrel flat.

Help with identification would be appreciated !