Trying to determine the grade.

[Researcher]

There was a period of time when the lowest Grade guns had plain wood, not checkered. However, by the 1882 price list, the Grade 0 guns Qualities R, S, T & U are listed as being checked.

Price List, July 1, 1882, pg 20.jpeg

In the earliest catalog I have a copy of the entry-level gun is said to be "plain finished" and have "Best Gun Iron" barrels with a list price of $50. The next gun up the scale has "Decarbonized Steel Barrels" with a list price of $75. All the higher Qualities have the choice of Laminated or Damascus barrels.

[Eric Wiens]

Thank you for the information. Very interesting. I just found out the shotgun was my wifes grandfather who acquired it from a man that owed him $7.