Favorite Grade of the American Classic?? What say you?

[Andy]

There is something about a PH with twist barrels that seems right. The barrel pattern with that classy understated engraving is just perfect.

[Phil Yearout]

I really like the Fox 2nd generation engraving but A grades are all my paygrade can support...



but overall, Ithaca engraving is pretty hard to beat (grade 5 here),,,

[William Woods]

Originally Posted by Phil Yearout

I really like the Fox 2nd generation engraving but A grades are all my paygrade can support...



but overall, Ithaca engraving is pretty hard to beat (grade 5 here),,,

Nice photo layout Mr. Phil.

[Keavin Nelson]

A big soft spot for Parker Cs w/Bernard barrels! And a B Fox is a fine gun! Recently developed a liking of the Ithaca NIDs, the 28ga are sweet.

[Craig Larter]

My current two favorites are Fox XE's deeply engraved with heads down Fox and Parker BH's. I favor guns made before the great conflict WWI.

[mobirdhunter]

I do like gold when used in moderation. Here's an example from a grade 6 Parker that looks very appropriate to me.

[Kevin McCormack]

Damn the pay grade(s)! Buy what you want and if that means chummying up with the lady at the credit union, go for it!! The term "budget" is like a noose around your neck when the one you've always wanted comes up at auction. Bust a move and think like a businessman - finance and duration of terms (e.g., buyer's premium and line of credit extentions). Once you spend your first $10K on a gun, it starts you thinking......how did I do this??

[edgarspencer]

No argument from me, Garry. The grip cap treatment, beginning with the grade 5 were 'just right'. I also like finding them with engraved initials. Sometimes a letter sheds light on them, sometimes not, but that just adds a little mystique .

To Craigs point, I too find the earlier gun engravers put a little extra effort into their detail.

[Phil Yearout]

OK; I’ll re-phrase my “paygrade” statement. The fact is that shotguns are not my only hobby, nor the only thing I choose to spend my money on. And to that end, the guns I own. - plebeian as they may be - are exactly what I choose to own. I’d never spend $10k on a shotgun even though the lady at the credit union would approve the loan. Just not that important to me.

[B. Dudley]

I really like any Parker hammer gun grade 3 and above. The bolster sculpting that was done starting at grade 3 level is hands down some of the nicest styling that one could ask for on a gun. And a set of Bernard barrels would sweeten it even more. So I guess I would say a grade C (4) Parker hammer gun.