Tell me about my Parker Hammergun
 

I have a ten gauge Hammergun marked 3081B
on the Watertable. It seems more deluxe that the regular
lowest grade and I thought it was a deluxe model called a B grade.
Someone tells me that it is not a B grade, so now I am confused.
[IMG]http://www.hunt101.com/data/500/medium/DSC_00021.JPG[/IMG]
[IMG]http://www.hunt101.com/data/500/medium/DSC_00013.JPG[/IMG]
[IMG]http://www.hunt101.com/data/500/medium/DSC_00086.JPG[/IMG]
[IMG]http://www.hunt101.com/data/500/medium/DSC_0002-1.JPG[/IMG]

I believe that the number you are referring to is the order number, not the serial number. Early guns were stamped with both. Nice gun, but not a B grade. That gun is early enough to be a dollar grade gun.

Several $135 grade guns have a similar fore end checking pattern.

best, Austin

By the later numbered grades yours might have been identified as a Grade 2.

Nice hammer gun! When did they start sculpting the fences? ch

Grade identified
 

I found an early 1880's price list in Baers Vol 2, pg 137. I now believe it is a grade F, $80.00 grade.
Mystery may be solved,

Thanks,

Dean, even though the pictured gun is not highly decorated, it would be higher than a Grade 2 in some eras. Very early guns were sparcely engraved compared to later ones. OOPS, misread the serial number and deleted my incorrect statement.

Serial number
 

Bill,
The serial number is actually 3081

Calvin, my 1879 Grade 2 in 10 gauge has sculpted fences.

I did read your original post Bill, and you are correct, early Parkers are often difficult to assign number grade or dollar grade to. In the later numbered/lettered grades the Grade 2 is the lowest grade to have Damascus barrels but in the earlier dollar grade era Damascus barrels are seen on lower grades. One needs to take into account the barrel steel, level of engraving, checkering patterns, sculpting of fences, among other features to make an educated attempt at assigning grade.

I'm going to take another look at the pictures I took of the John Hanson gun this evening and take a look at it in TPS to see if any of the authors assigned a grade to it.