Interesting BHE 20

[edgarspencer]

Originally Posted by Dean Romig

As I recall Acme Steel made its appearance around 1903, if I'm not mistaken. This gun is a ca. 1905 gun and up until Acme barrels appeared if you wanted a fluid steel barreled Grade 4 you got Titanic Steel barrels, hence the TI5 listed in the Serialization book.

Further, the legend on the top rib is not roll-stamped, but is engraved (not uncommon on grade 4 Parkers with unusual barrel steels).

Further, the "replacable wear plate" is original to the barrels and is the pre-1910 flat top style, not the "shouldered" post-1910 design, and is not a re-fitted early style on a post-1910 set of barrels.

I guess it's anyone's guess about the Acme Steel barrels but my guess is that they are original to the gun.

This gun is a Grade 5, not a Grade 4.
I know a guy who sold a Grade 5 20ga, albeit with 28" barrels, to pay for his daughter's Masters Degree.