The J.G. In the oval was the mark of James Geary, barrel striker, and the other insignia stamp on the same flat is one of the stamps for which the meaning is unknown.
The other one, W.K. Is the stamp of Walter King, also a barrel man and son of Charles A. King, superintendent of the Parker Gun Works. Walter King took over as superintendent upon his father’s retirement in 1910, I believe.
The 4 with the superscript 1 is the pre-struck barrel weight. After striking (filing) the barrels to attain a desired profile and weight, several ounces (up to 10 or so in some cases) would have been removed to attain the desired weight and balance of the gun.
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"I'm a Setter man.
Not because I think they're better than the other breeds,
but because I'm a romantic - stuck on tradition - and to me, a Setter just "belongs" in the grouse picture."
George King, "That's Ruff", 2010 - a timeless classic.
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