DH or GH?
 

Advertised and appears to be frame marked as a DH. But the engraving pattern sure looks more like a GH. Any theories?

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/Vie...Item=266110959

The book says Damascus Grade 3 or D grade. These early hammerless guns varied from what we consider the norm at times.

So what's the consensus.....are these early, less elaborate D grades of comparable value to the later examples? Is it worth the opening bid? The wood sure looks nice.

I have a GH that was built at about the same time as the gun on GB. While the engraving and quality of the wood are similar, The engraving on the gun on GB is more elaborate. I would like to have that gun!

It is a very early Grade 3 hammerless (DH). The earliest hammerless Parkers had relatively sparse engraving in comparison to that of just a few years later when the level of engraving was elevated to what we commonly see on Parker guns right through the Remington guns.

The thing that perplexes me is the dog's head hard rubber buttplate. But then the 'drop points' aren't cut in the shape we are accustomed to seeing on DH guns of the Meriden era.

Dean has a good point on buttplate. Find out frame size. Is it worth the money thats your call it's a cool gun. BUT as Bruce has told me time and again if you buy a gun with issues is that what you are going to see every time you pull it out of the case?? Issues can be fixed as well. Good luck ch

Perplexes, There you go again Dean. :)

Yup, that's what the very early DH grades look like. I have one exactly like that. I don't know much about the real condition of the one on gunbroker, but the gun is represented as redone. The pictures sure don't tell you much. The seller is OK, sets up at Allentown and York gun shows, will send you a gun if you send him money.

It states that the gun was restored. Maybe the buttstock is not original. Though the engraving is light for most D grades, it is more profuse than a G.

Some of the one piece hinge pin guns also have a bent top lever. This one has the typical dog on the bottom of the action that the later D grades do not have. A few of the D grades have lettered with the hard plastic butt plate instead of the skeleton butt treatment. If you don't like the plastic butt a good gunsmith can chop the stock and add a silvers pad for a little cash. Wonder what frame size and weight?

Kurt

I'm holding my early GH up to the pictures of this gun and IMHO the gun for sale has better and more detailed engraving. I think it is a D grade gun. The engraving shows more coverage and it has considerable more detail. Nice wood, but my GH has wonderful wood too.

I also think it is a wonderful gun! I paid a G for mine and this is a better gun by a ways. The damascu barrels look identical to mine. The engraving on the trigger guard is much better than that upon my GH. My gun has very little engraving on the opening lever...none as a matter of fact. The gun in question has a lot.