Interesting "Checked Rib" Design

[Dean Weber]

Recently spoke with Chuck about this Parker. The order book indicates an order for a "checked rib". Same person ordered 2 guns with same request. I have a hard time thinking Parker made a special roll stamp for the order. However, also seems like a lot of engraving. I have never seen anything like this on a Parker. If others have, please let us know!

[Dean Romig]

I can’t wait for Breck Gorman to weigh in on this thread. He always shows us the most unusual ribs to go through his shop.
It’s definitely a composite steel rib, but which one…?

On closer examination, in the blank areas around the letters it is plain to see the rib material is crolle damascus and it appears go have been engraved everywhere else or roll-stamped with that “checkersd” pattern…





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[Dean Romig]

Dean, does this gun predate the first matted ribbed Parkers? Judging by the engraving at the seam between the rib and rib extension (doll’s head) as well as the engraving over the screw head for the rib extension, it would appear so.





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[Dean Weber]

Dean,
This gun is 1885. If I am remembering my TPS correctly, the wavy line was generally encountered after 1885. But yes, it does have the engraved areas you mention.

[Keavin Nelson]

Looks engraved to me, particularly around the label and breech area.

[B. Dudley]

I have seen one other example of a hammer gun with a factory matted rib that was done before the usual matting was employed. It was very fine, and looked rolled, like knurling. This one here posted above looks done by hand or stamped, like stippling. The one I saw was different than this style. Here is a photo of that other one, the letter stated to “chase rib”.

You may have to open and expand the photo to see the matting.


IMG_0733.jpg

[edgarspencer]

There was just recently a video on Facebook, showing an engraver doing just this type of rib treatment. He was using a tool which appeared to have 5-6 "teeth" and he was just pushing the tool diagonally. The closest thing I can thing of to compare it to is a checkering tool.

[Dean Romig]

Multi tooth engraving tools were commonly used on Parkers and other guns primarily to provide shading or to fill in voids or open areas.





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[Bill Murphy]

Stippling is an attractive way to cover a lot of area. There is good stippling and bad. I don't know how it is done, but I like it. Remember the Fox F Grade that was about 100% stippled. It was very nice.

[Aaron Beck]

Edgar
where can we see the video? interested.