Looking for 8 gauge info

Pa SxS · 02-04-2013, 04:12 PM

I'm looking for some information on Grade 2 hammerless 8 gauge guns. These guns, made between 1889 and about 1910, were called "Quality EH" in the price lists. Parker didn't sell GH's in 10 gauge, they made them in the EH grade which was equivalent to the GH but at $5.00 more. For the EH grade in 8 gauge they tacked on an additional $35.00 charge plus, in some cases, an additional charge for extra long barrels.

My question is; does anyone have a Grade 2, 8 gauge gun manufactured between 1889 and about 1910? If so, how is your water table marked, GH or EH? I'd like to get as many responses as possible.

Thanks,

Chuck

Bill Murphy · 02-04-2013, 04:51 PM

Not to say water table markings can't be all over the map, but the EH is restricted to 10 gauge guns. The 8 gauge, according to catalog information, is a GH. The 8 gauge Grade 1 was also considered a PH when the 10 was an NH. That being said, my Grade 1, which is originally an 8 gauge, is marked NH.

Autumn Daze · 02-04-2013, 05:01 PM

Bill, I think 8 gauge guns were marked EH and NH respectively.

Fishtail · 02-04-2013, 08:01 PM

I'm fairly sure my 8 is a GH according to the PGCA letter.

Autumn Daze · 02-04-2013, 08:29 PM

Somewhere around 1905/07 the EH/NH designation was dropped and these guns were simply G grade and P grade guns.

Pa SxS · 02-04-2013, 09:21 PM

Greg, I'm not interested in what your letter says, I want to know what the letter is on the water table and only if it was made in the 1889 to about 1910 range.

Dave, that's why I only want hammerless 8 gauge gun prior to the EH/NH being dropped. I couldn't find the exact date the EH was dropped in my price lists.

The reason I ask is because I just did a letter for a member on a Grade 2 gun which was an 8 gauge. The price was $85 for the EH plus $35 for the 8 guage upgrade for a total of $120 which is what the Order Book price was. On his watertable is GH, not EH. Was this a common practice or were some guns marked GH and some marked NH?

Researcher · 02-04-2013, 09:39 PM

My 1889 vintage Quality 2, heavy 12-gauge hammerless, serial number 56213, is marked 2 above the serial number on the watertable and E below it --

Fishtail · 02-05-2013, 07:23 AM

'2' with no letter on the water table
161XXX

Mills · 02-05-2013, 08:01 AM

The Parker Story says EH/NH was only used for 10 gauges, but I have seen posts on this forum indicating it was also used on 8 gauges.

Bill Murphy · 02-05-2013, 11:39 AM

Mills is right, but the catalog tells the story correctly. If an early eight gauge is marked E or N, it is in error. Such errors are not so rare. #160,785, eight gauge, post 1910, marked 2 and GH. I have not seen a catalog entry that describes an eight gauge as an NH or an EH.