Need help with information.

[Bill Murphy]

Post a picture of the bottom of the receiver for a better idea of the grade. There are Grade 1 guns in the forty some serial number range that have engraving patterns identical to Grade 2 guns except the bird vignette on the bottom is devoid of birds. I own such a gun and the engraving pattern was a surprise for sure.

[Jim Haney]

Bill,
Here are some pics of under the receiver. Also some additional pics of the barrel for Chuck to see that the serial number is also there. I missed it the first time around.

I cleaned it up and found that the serial numbers are on every part. It is on the back of the butt plate, on the trigger guard (It took a minute to figure out how to remove) and the stock even has the number in the wood under the trigger guard.

I work on and collect pocket watches and all of the early watches have the serial numbers, or the last 4 digits, on evey piece. The reason is that in this early period of 1860- 1900 every item was hand finished and unique to the whole part and usually one piece would not interchange without some adjusting, filing etc.
My Dad bought this on the eastern shore (Ocean City, Md) at a yard sale for $100 and he made a $50 profit on it from me.

[Dean Romig]

Yup, definately a grade 2 or G gun. The birds tell it all. you could reinforce this by posting pics of the lockplates where there should also be engraved game scenes with birds.

[Bill Murphy]

Yup, looks like one of those rare and unusual Grade 1 guns with the abbreviated engraving pattern in the circle on the bottom of the receiver. Mine has no engraving at all in the circle.

[Dean Romig]

Bill, time for new specs? There's a woodcock in the vignette.

[Pa SxS]

Well, my backs getting sore from patting it so hard

Here is what I would do it it was mine.

1. Strip and clean the receiver getting as much crud out as possible. Check for proper operation.

2. The stock looks good at the base of the receiver but the top of the wood may be pulled away from the receiver and the top tang. Check for cracks under the sideplates and anywhere else around the head of the stock. A good stocker should be able to repair.

3. The barrels are the main concern if you want to shoot it. Send it to someone like Kearcher, Orlen, or Vicknair for inspection or repair.
We are having a big get together at Pintail Point on the eastern shore of MD Sept 25, 26, and 27 if you can make it.

[Jim Haney]

Thanks so much for your help.

I would like to clear up some conflicting opinions.

Dean says it is a grade 2 or G gun and Bill says it is a grade 1?

Chuck, thanks for your advise from the beginning. I have fired both barrels and it works fine.

I cleaned it up some more and there was a small amount of pitting inside the right barrel and I used a barrel brush and oil and it took off the rust and polished up.

[Don Kaas]

Grade 2. The engraving has it. It appears to be a Grade 2 action with Grade 0 barrels but...Parker was in business to make product and make a profit. They may have sold this gun at a Grade 1 price but if they did they did it to fill an order. Get a letter.

[Bill Murphy]

I can see the woodcock, but that is about as little engraving in the circle as I have ever seen on a grade 2.

[Jim Haney]

I sent in a check for the research letter. We can see what that turns up.