question

[charlie cleveland]

i was cleaning the old 8 ga lifter yesterday and was looking it over for the 1000 time and ive noticed this before but never posted this question..down on the barrel lug were the frame size is there is no frame size on this lifter but there is the 2 letters J S was just wondering if any body knows what these 2 letters are...alsowere all the early lifter with out the frame size marked on the barrel lug... my serial no is 25403.... charlie

[Bill Murphy]

Charlie, get a real accurate measurement of the distance between the firing pins and someone will tell you what the frame size is. If you have a "The Parker Story", the information about frame dimensions is on page 527. What Parker books do you own?

[Roundsworth]

The 'J.S.' is for Mr. Stokes, an inspector. My 1877 lifter has the frame size on the lug.

[Bill Zachow]

Charlie, I think the JS stands for Stokes, the barrel contractor. Some lifter 8s had the frame size stamped, some not. I once owned a 5 frame lifter 8 in the 11,000 serial range and it was properly stamped. I have seen others that were not. Your lifter is probably a 6 or a 7. The 5 framed lifters are quite scarce. Can you post some pictires of your gun? I would really like to see it.

[B. Dudley]

Very early guns did not utilize the frame size system, thus are not marked. However, your serial number should be marked. Maybe it is either worn down, was lightly stamped or was not stamped.

[Michael Riel]

my 1880 lifter is marked. also has the letters LC ? anyone know what those letters are for?

[charlie cleveland]

i have checked the distance between the firing pins and checked it in the parker story and it come up a 7 frame...i have the parker storey both books what some good reading... my serial no is on the gun everwhere its suppose to be just not the frame size on the lug... i guess some of these early guns just weere not marked...my old lifter aint much to look at but she still shoots ok...maybe i can get to post some pictures here lately for some reason the computer would not put up a picture...so mr stokes is the barrel man back in 1882.... charlie

[Mills]

I have a Grade 2 10 gauge with the same initials and am told it is John Stokes.

[Hammer Gun]

Ditto on John Stokes

[ed good]

js? charlie, hits gotta be confederate...