Frame size markings on top action hammer guns.

[B. Dudley]

I made a recent observation on a couple of top action hammer guns. What appears to be the frame size stamped on the bottom of the frame under the trigger plate. Below are photos of a 3 frame and 4 frame with markings in this location with those corresponding numbers.

3 frame in 39,000 range

IMG_3550.jpg

4 frame in 38,000 range

IMG_3627.jpg

Both of these guns are within bout 1,000 serial numbers from each other. Both made in 1884.

I went through my parts bins and the closest numbers I have on either side of these is 26,704 (2 frame) and 45,934 (0 frame). Neither of those had these markings and I have no others on hand that do.

I will continue to keep an eye out for other examples of this and their serial numbers. If anyone else can check their frames and report back, it would be appreciated.

The numbers I listed above exhibit a 19,000 serial number gap representing manufacturing from 1882 to 1885. I would like to try and find examples to be able to narrow that down some.

[Bob Hardison]

Brian: Thanks for the info. Do you realize that your hands are dirty?. Me being a mechanic cannot imagine that. We are the people that make it happen. Bob

[B. Dudley]

My hands are never clean.

[Bob Hardison]

Brian: Neither were the hands of Michelangelo. Thanks for sharing you work and information. Bob

[Gunner]

Brian very interesting appears to be new info. Erick

[Bill Murphy]

Brian, what is the serial number of the #4 frame? Is there a PGCA letter on this gun? #4 frames are largely competition guns, some ordered by name shooters.

[Dean Romig]

I have 36803 which, according to the 1 1/16" spacing between pin centers, is a 1-frame but there is no such stamp in the recess for the trigger plate.

[B. Dudley]

Thank you dean. As I continue to keep my eye out for this feature, I would be curious if I can find examples of 1 and 2 stamps. Or maybe it was just something they were doing with larger sizes for a short while.

And the two examples I have above are nothing to do with grade as the 3 frame was a grade 2 and the 4 frame is a grade 3.

[Bill Murphy]

Brian, we should be interested in the provenance of the #4 frame. Is there a PGCA letter on this gun?

[Mills]

There was a 10 gauge D hammer gun on here about 2 years ago that turned out to be on a 4 frame. I should have bought it.