I have highly suspected for some time, that in spite of much criticism tendered at Johnson's early Parker book, that he was correct in that early grading was primarily based on the pattern, thus cost, of the damascus bbls. Along these lines it is I think noteworthy that over the same period of time, "Catalog List" prices of Parker guns were increasing per grade, while Lefevers stayed the same virtually throughtout their existence. During this period Lefever added several lower grades & upgraded engraving etc on existing grades.
These are 1897 prices.
Pete
