In the strictest sense of the word, at least as it pertains to firearms, your gun is an antique. However, using a quality low pressure load from RST, you will find shooting it no different than shooting any modern day double.
The 'Book' refers the the Serialization book. This 'book' has a lot of missing guns, as the original Parker paperwork was less than organized when it was assembled, and published. There may be other data available though, and a note to the researcher will get you an answer as to whether a letter can be written on the gun.
Cleaning old guns is a highly debated topic, and there are as many suggestions as there are respondents. I use WD40 and 4 ought steel or bronze wool, though finding 0000 in bronze is tough on a good day. Go very lightly and let the WD40 set for a while. It will get underneath, and lift any loose rust. If there are remnants of case colors on the lock plates, go extremely lightly, if at all. Your wood looks so nice I'd be inclined not to do much at all. The barrels can be sent off to one of the better known smiths who specialize in Damascus browning. They come alive when properly restored.
Don't hone the bores. a good scrubbing will make them alot nicer without removing wall thickness.
DON'T use your gun for any slugs or heavy buckshot loads, as pressure goes up and you stand the good chance of ruining the gun.
After getting the trigger pull sorted on on my grade 2 a6ga. hammer this year, that gun has become my all time favorite sporting clays gun. Hammer guns just seem to balance so well.
|