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They are stunning. Bruce, why are the water tables marked '7' and 'A', instead of 'AA' ? Also, I couldn't see any Whitworth serial numbers on the barrel flats. Are they beneath the fore ends, and four consecutive numbers? It's odd that they aren't in the 'book'.
The markings are correct for early hammer less As I said, the configuration is correct. Sometimes the earlier the gun, the more it departs from standards
The general rule for Whitworth barrels is that they are marked with both the wheat sheave and tube serial number. Not all are so marked however.
There are many fine and correct Parkers that are not in the known records. There are also some made up guns. This pair presents an exercise in know your Parkers.
The Following User Says Thank You to Bruce Day For Your Post:
I wasn't questioning your word, Bruce. I was questioning my understanding that a Grade 7 was an A Grade, as those appear to be marked.
Before the AA Designation was catalogued , the highest was A but some A's were set up as Pigeon guns, as were these, without safety , no rib extension, and straight high stock. The rib says Pigeon Grade. They were extra embellished and graded 7 So some very early A's are grade 7 , and within a few years the AA designation was established for these Pigeon grade guns. Whether they were used solely for live bird pigeon shooting I can't say. Seems to me they would be equivalent to a British game gun pair for driven high bird pheasant and red grouse.
I wasn't at Parker Bros but am relaying information I have learned from TPS and from listening to true experts in the field. I have learned a little but have far to go. By the way there is some sort of face in the upper left corner. I don't know anything about that and don't know how that got there. Forum glitch??