$250 Grade Parkers
I have 3215 which is pictured in The Parker Story, and Charlie's ... Serialization. We have generally considered this to be a "$250 grade" or "the highest grade made at the time". I can count 6 lamina in the barrels with a magnifier; good argument for highest grade. However, the breech sculpting, filing, and engraving are a bit sparse when compared to some other $250 grade guns in the 3000 s/n range. There were many changes in the Parker organization and in the Parker price lists in the 2000 - 3000 s/n range. There appear to be more "high grade" guns than one would expect in this range, but many remained unsold or were returned to Parker in the 1870's. I can account for two rebarrellings, rebounding lock change, and a fore end latch change on 3215. These inconsistencies are part of the reason why guns in the sub 5000 serial range are lumped as "dollar grade guns" in TPS.
The $135 grade which appears to have become the $80 G grade is easiest to track, with its three point bow tie fore end checking. The $200 - 250 grades have checking patterns more like later C - D grades, and often sparse engraving covering less than one half the lock or frame. This engraving was farmed out to Gough and others and although sparse, is some of the best Parker engraving; especially the dogs on the trigger gaurd, and the wood cock on the locks.
Best, Austin
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