Joe and all,
Possibly I spoke too soon,
.
The Parker Repro 12 ga with 3 inch chambers in 28 inch M/IC barrels on a 1 1/2 frame that my wife gave me as an anniverserary present years ago may NOT be a SSS as it was said to be by the "reputable" dealer where she bought it. The serial number is shown in multiple places as either 12-1234 or 12-01234(not the actual digits). In no place does it have SSS.
Based upon a bit of Google work tonight, the preponderance of evidence indicates that all steel shot specials did have SSS- in the serial number.
Mine has DT, SS, SF and is a great shotgun, but it seems that I will have to stop telling folks that it is a SSS(bye, bye snob appeal). I find it curious that various sources state in print that there were only 250, 275, 350, etc. SSS made; I will stop quoting such numbers also, since I really do not know what is correct.
Though a bit dissapointed it is not SSS, it was a wonderful anniversary present and is a pleasure to shoot. I think I will go kill some birds with it soon and forget about the SSS business.
