A Grade 1....
 

....Hollenbeck! This is my new project. I had an informative conversation with a fellow named Tom Archer about this gun. He said they are somewhat uncommon. The company started manufacturing the Hollenbeck in 1893 and the Grade 1 disappeared from the catalog before 1896. Hollenbecks were numbered sequentially. This one bears serial number 224. It has a few cosmetic issues, but locks up tight and has decent barrels. The wood needs some TLC, but the trigger guard poses the biggest challenge. I will have to let a pro fix it!

Sorry about the cockeyed photos. My wonderful Windows 8 program allowed me to rotate them for viewing, but they transferred here the way they were downloaded to my computer!

Several years ago the DGJ had a series of articles coauthored by Tom about the Hollenbeck shotgun. I think it was in 2006.

Tom is a great guy and a wealth of knowledge.

Ed, I have all the DGJs with the Syracuse Arms articles. They really do a fine job of putting everything into perspective. Mr. Archer told me which back issue his article on the Grade 1 was in, and I bought it. It is an excellent article. He certainly is a wealth of knowledge when it comes to Syracuse Arms. Thanks for the link, Rick.