To my knowledge, there is no definable period during which the execution of Parker engraving can be categorized as "light" vs. "deep". The style and the expression of the engraver more likely determined the execution of the final product; many of the early Parker engravers (c. early 1870s thru about 1905) were of English or German descent.
The British of course preferred extremely fine scrollwork with more caricature-like dogs, birds and animals, while the Germanic engravers preferred more bold and dramatic tableaus for their work.
The result is a curious but delightful mix of styles and expression - much of the "lightly cut" style similar to the British Boss, W.C. Scott and early Westley Richards type, while at the same time examples were done using the very deep cutaway and shading techniques seen on the c. 1900 A and AA Pigeon guns, and later the A-1 Specials of the post-1905-07 era.
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Hybrid Mode