Stepped Lock Plates

[Parker Bachelder (Brad's Profile)]

The Parker A Grade recently sold by G&H, raised the question as to the existence of stepped lock plates on a Parker shotgun. The pictures posted would tend to make you think that the area in question is simply an illlusion caused by the engraving. This particular A grade has true stepped lock plates, the step portion is .050 thinner than the balance of the plate. The step lines continue into the wood at the head of the stock, currently obscured by excessive finish build up.
The engraving is also quite unique. The animals and respective backgrounds were done by a different engraver than the deep chisel relief scroll work. This is common in Parker guns, however I believe that the scroll work was done by another famous engraver from that era. Iam working on verifing that suspicion.
This information was posted by specific request by the current owner.

Brad