In his book, Semmer also shows (on page 271) a "laminated" pattern on a Grade 4 Remington hammergun barrel; which could be what you actually have, and certainly be a more grade specific/appropriate to the grade of this gun. Also, it is not uncommon to see low numbered Hunter guns void of a grade stamp, as Hunter inherited and re-worked a number of Syracuse model frames which were never assigned a grade/quality on the finished piece. This fact is noted in the surviving shipping records from this period, as in the grade column one will simply find an "X" notation. On one page of the surviving records is a hand-written notation as follows: "X - made without grade". This discovery helps explain the fact why certain ID of many early Smith guns is so difficult (gun grade is not noted within the records or stamped on the gun); therefore in those instances the collector must note features specific to the gun and period, then make a determination of an approximate grade classification based on known cataloged descriptions. If there is no grade mark stamped on the gun, there are two other possible locations that might (but not always) reveal the exact grade. Remove the guard strap screws; and look for the serial number and grade stamped into the wood beneath same. The second method would be to remove the lockplates. On pre-13 Smith guns, gun grade will nearly always be stamped into the frame metal below the water table (narrow portion of the plate) beneath the left-side lockplate. This may be the most accurate method for making a pre-13 grade determination; but even that is not always reliable, as I have personally seen several examples void of any grade mark whatsoever.
