George, Parker Brothers marked the top rib of most all of their later hammer guns and the hammerless models (up until the time Remington began making their own barrels and ribs) with the type of fluid steel that was used in the barrels. It is widely believed that within certain manufacturing eras the steel used in all but Whitworth (British) barrels was probably the same but names of steel type were invented to help set apart one grade from another. The names used were intended to impart a sense of 'superior strength or performance and quality' to the grades of guns these barrels were used on. Hence, the 'grades' of steels were marked on the rib were... Trojan, Vulcan, Parker Steel, Parker Special Steel, Titanic, Acme, Peerless, and Whitworth. The Damascus and other composite barrels were not so imaginitively named. They were... Decarbonized, Stub Twist, Twist, Laminated, Damascus, and Bernard.
I hope this helps.
Dean
Last edited by Dean Romig; 12-02-2009 at 10:43 PM..
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