FWIW the language on our website under "Parker Grades" seems to suggest we (PGCA) consider there to be dividing line between the D and G (and below).
The Grade 3 was introduced in 1875 and was very popular at a cost of $100 (a 100 Dollar grade). The DH is considered the lowest grade parker to be a custom grade shotgun.
The DH had Damascus barrels until Titanic Steel barrels were offered as a popular option. The stock was made of Circassian walnut. The stock commonly has a silver shield behind the tang, nickel or silver plated triggers and spear-pointed extensions to the stock side panels. The checkering on the stock is more elaborate than lower grades and is a deep, twenty lines to the inch. Stocks were fitted with a skeleton butt plate as standard but recoil pads were an option. Dogs were almost always a feature of the engraving on the sides along with some extensive scroll work. Before 1897, almost all grade 3 guns had Damascus barrels and Titanic Steels after that date, that is, until the Acme Steel barrels were introduced.
The Grade 3 hammer gun was the lowest grade to have sculptured barrel bolsters.
Ejectors were an option for DH Parkers with ejectors (DHE) are desirable to collectors which can add to their collector value.
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