Hammer Guns

[Bindlestiff]

Larry,

I guess I wasn't explicit in my writing. My point was that from what I had seen the 'C' had the short tear drops and lower grades didn't have them at all. Grades higher than 'C' had the full tear drops. I look at $250 grade guns as the highest of graded guns which have the full tear drop. I don't know the $$$$ grade of the gun shown but I would have equated it to a 'C' based on the tear drops. What I don't know is what dollar value a 'C' would be; maybe $175?

When it comes to dollar grades I don't think we have a real solid recognition method. I have seen guns call $250 grade guns that have light engraving and wood that isn't exceptional. When I look at dollar lifters and they don't have tear drops I assume they are lower than $200 dollar grade, but that is just my thinking and I am probably wrong?

Maybe owners of dollar grade guns could post pictures and ID's to help understand the designation; do the guns have order records with the price listed too? I think the dollar range guns run from $50 - $300?

[Labowner]

I was hoping to get owners of Hammer guns to post some pictures under engraving with dollar grade or letter grade to better understand the different grades. I find them very interesting and see one in my future.

[Double Play]

Robin,
I agree the dollar grades can be very confusing. I think the early (1870's) guns before the letter grading had much less engraving and the bolsters were somewhat less ornate. My 1878 under lifter 3251 has been called a $250.00 gun by some of our members who know far more than I yet it has much less engraving than some lower grade guns from just a few years later. I was told that there is not enough information to do a letter on these early guns which is too bad as that would end any speculation.