Damascus pattern & butt stock writing:
 

Taking a few detailed photos of my new to me 1897 GH 16 Gauge, #1 Frame and 28" barrels. The Damascus pattern is intriguing, could it be original? Perhaps it's too good to be original. Regardless, I like them. The butt-stock, under the butt-plate has pencil writing. I believe the markings are factory measurements for the customer ordered build assembly. I measured the barrels for choke, they are identical, exactly Mod X Mod. The butt-Stock is really appealing, the grain, figure and finish are wonderful. I enjoy taking the photos because I can actually see what I'm looking at with these ageing eyes. Thoughts?

Looks like a great gun Bruce. Without being able to see the rest of the gun, I would guess the barrels have been refinished and also the stock. Any more pictures of the rest of the gun.

What a beautiful GH!
The writing on the butt is original but without getting a research letter that verifies the drops we probably can’t know what they mean.

The barrels are fantastic and are a true representation of Parker’s original black and white finish.





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Dean, is that the original , or do you think they have been refinished? Without seeing the frame to compare its condition figured they must have been redone. Hey, I hope that is the original condition--really nice gun

I have observed markings under the butt on various guns as well. Usually one will find the last 3 of the serial number on both the wood and the plate. But I have seen sinilar markings to yours as well. Both that I recently saw were on hammer guns. The one mark is certainly the drop at heel.

Yours look to read 1, 2-1/2 and 1/4. I wonder of the 1 is the stock size (which your butt size is a 1. And 2-1/2 could be the drop at heel and I am not sure what the 1/4” may be. Does it have any cast?

See here photos of the ones that I mention above. These guns were completely original.

The one is clearly 3-1/4. The large white is the serial. I wonder what the RB is on the one. ?


Attachment 95913

Attachment 95914

Pulled the plate off my PH 16 recently, and the last 3 of the serial # in chalk on the butt, and in pencil on the butt plate.

Photos:
 

Cast off is 1/4" or a bit less. The wood at the butt-plate is 1/32" proud. If it's not the original stock finish it's unbelievably good. I read there were something like 604 GH 16 gauge manufactured. I'm very please to have a nice 16 DHE & GH.
I am a good caretaker and probably won't wear out the fireing pins.

Very typical G grade two blade croille. These are mismatched segments , which is also common for the grade. Higher grade Damascus will have finer croille and greater band density. This is a high condition gun and from the photos , appears to be original finish. Congratulations. Enjoy and shoot it.

I think G grades were the grade that made Parker .

"1897 barrels would have oxidized and darkened."
If you hold the barrels in the direct sunlight they have a reddish hue of rust. Lighting is so critical to photo accuracy.

Yes . I edited my response because I now believe the barrel finish is original. The slight reddish oxidation is consistent with originality and care.