"You would think it would be in the begining of that year, and if the case, then most of their advertising in introducing a new grade would be from the 3rd or 4th quarter of the previous year, but I don't think it worked out that way. Kind of like the autos now, 2011's are already out for some".
We now know that Hunter Arms Company introduced their Pigeon Grade gun in 1893; and that the company was using Crown steel barrels in that same year, as additional research of the shipping records from 1893 found a block of 10 Pigeon Grade guns. Although those early shipping records don't ID barrel steel type, a few months ago Phil Carr purchased a very early Smith Pigeon Grade gun; then, when checking the serial number with surviving records, discovered his gun was the first Pigeon Grade serial number ever recorded. I've since seen the gun; and although it is not in the greatest condition, the gun still has its original 30" Crown Steel barrels.
Last edited by topgun; 08/06/12 12:44 AM.
