Favorite Grade of the American Classic?? What say you?
 

The recent release of Josh's book of the Eric Klein Collection got me thinking about my favorite American classic SxS grades. I must say that I like understated but classy looking guns, I'm not an over the top kind of guy. I appreciate the F Foxes and A-1 Parkers but they don't excite me. Maybe because I will never be able to afford one or they are just too excessive in decoration. For me the Parker grade 5's and 6's, Fox XE's and DE's, LCS A-2's and Monograms and Ithaca Grade 6 and 7's are about the best of the best. What say you???

The Parkers I find the most appealing are grades 3,4,5 and 6, and while condition is important, I much prefer the guns which show they have been used and loved.

Ok. I will come clean…

The Baker Black Beauty.

Parker Grade 2’s and 3’s so far . But I’ve always wanted a grade 4 or 5 with antlered critters in the engraving .

I’d rather have a well maintained honest 40% gun over a total resto any day ! Provided they’re both the same grade of course .

My collection is a shooting collection with a few exceptions, a very few.

Grades 5 & 6 Parkers, with a soft spot for the twist barreled PHs. A grade 5 pre-1913 Smith always has my interest. The Fox XE is at the top of my list, too.

I also am partial to the Ithaca Flues grade 1.5 (like the Smith Ideal). I keep hoping to find one with Damascus barrels in the right gauge and configuration.

That BHE 20 with straight/splinter and two triggers in Josh’s book keeps me dreaming. :corn:

Since I shoot all my guns, whether Parker or Lefever, I want them to fit and be solid. I'm not into ornamentation on guns. Give me basic engraving and I'm happy. That said, I really really really like V grade Parkers and G or H grade Lefevers. Even the Trojan and Durston Special guns hold my interest. I'll save my interest in flashy for Hawaiian shirts!! :rotf::rotf:

I'm going to say that the Grade 5 (B) Parkers, whether side x side, hammer, hammerless or sbt, is about the perfect balance of form and function.

parker PH twist and GH Damascus ,They have just the wright look to me.