Pete, I was wondering if you were going to chime in on this. I say this because I've seen some of your posts about this brand and have looked at your website (nice by the way). I was planning on emailing you because I heard you were collecting info on serial numbers. Guess I can't say for sure that it is a 20ga. I stated that based upon just looking at the barrels. It is a hammerless side lock gun. The wording on the rib says "Mfd by the Meriden Firearms Co. Meriden CT Pat'd. July 9, 1907". On the flat of the receiver it has the numbers S28. I've cleaned some of the paint off of the barrels and they appear to be steel, not damascus. I believe that the 28 indicates the barrel length. The other number is the serial number, 78531.
Kirk,
You are correct the stamp indicates 28" steel barrels. It is a late gun. Likely to have been produced at the very end circa 1918 or 1919.
Is there any engraving on the gun? I asked about the gauge, because the 20ga guns are very rare. I can only confirm a 3 or 4 of them as still being around.
Again, if you need help let me know.
Regards,
Pete
