Alex,
Congratulations on your new "elsie". This grade was first introduced in 1895, the ejectors were first offered in this gun in 1898 for a option of $25.00 and the Hunter One-Trigger was offered as an option in 1904 for $25.00. The leather covered recoil pad was also an option (not sure of price, $4.50). The standard gun was priced at $47.00 add the options and you can see that now you are at a $100.00 gun. Somebody back then wanted the options and didn't want the higher grades.
Your same year 1907 London Steel barrels were an option and continued to the end of the company. Your grade changed names in 1913 to Ideal Grade.
In my opinion, the checkering on the forend looks too crisp for a gun this old. It could have been refurbashed and there is nothing wrong with that.
Dr. Drew could tell you what type of Damascus barrels are on your gun.
Also I would have a good double gun gunsmith look at the barrels and make sure that they were not honed out because of using black powder back then. If everything checks out I would only shoot low pressure low velocity shells (under 8,000 psi).
On your bench is that a Stanley 45 or 55, I'm thinking a 45 because I don't see that many cuters.
Good luck and keep us posted on your findings.
