[George M. Purtill Member #28]

My Scott was built around 1876 and I honestly don't know when Parker started building 8 gauges. I bet you do Charlie.
They used a lot of guns to test cartridges. They often were marked. Mine has WRA engraved on the rib.
I have an upcoming article in PP about Parkers they bought and used to test shells. Sometimes blowing them up on purpose. I have serial numbers of those Parkers as well.