To: Jeff Mull-Jerry Lape-2-piper-Chiefshotguns-Randy Duke& John Mann:
Thank you all for your imput. See as follows:
Jeff- the A-5 has all the writting ( except the Krupp-Laufstahl)Cheifshotguns was right that wording is on the J.P.Sauer. It has no engraving but does have the wording Browning Patent Depose on it that someone mentioned. It has no writting on the top of the barrell as it is what I call a rib barrell. The seriel number is 45613 FN.
The Drilling- Both sides are engraved-bottom is engraved-trigger guard is engrave. Both sides have J.P. Sauer & Sons Suhl written on them. The breech lever (opens the gun) is engraved. Right behind the breech lever on the stock is a slide piece you would think is a safety but it raises and lowers the peep sight. The scope mounts are the claw type you can see under and use the peep sight. Top of both barrels have Krupp-Laufstahl written on them. The seriel number is 279268. The seriel number on the scope is Nr 122575. It looks like three things ( old, precise, and expensive).
The New Baker rabbit eared is more a plain gun, no engraving but the wood stands out and shines like new money. Right hand side has Syracuse Forging & Gun Co.- Batavia,N.Y. Left hand side has just New Baker. The seriel number is 8103D. Not real sure if it is a D or a tool mark.
The musket ( which I know none of you guys care about ) is again just a plain old long musket with the ramrod. It has U.S. Colt PFA Mfg. Co. Hartford,Conn. on it. It has an X scratched on the stock and another X scratched in front of trigger guard on the bottom. The barrell on this one has some pitting right in front of the hammer.
I made sure everyone read though this before I got to the Parker. The Parker is engraved on both sides. One side has two birds flying while the other side has two birds standing in a field. In the rib it has Parker Bros Maker-Merdith,Conn-Damascus Steel. It has engraving on the bottom and on the trigger guard. There is an engrave metal piece you use to remove the front wood piece. The front wood piece (right in front of the metal) has a crack in it. The seriel number is `136394. Did I forget anything??
There is another gun I forgot to mention and had forgotten about it. It is a single shot shotgun but it doesn't open like a normal shotgun, It has a fancy curved trigger guard that is actually a lever and kind of rolls a block open at the back and allows you to put in a shell. The only writting on it is "Made by the Hopkins & Allen Arms Co. Norwich, Conn. USA The number is 3300.
I hope now I can sit back and watch the knowledge roll in. I have to meet tomorrow with all our friends at the IRS to settle the value of my fathers estate. I would appreciate any imput as to the value of the guns ( Low side please ).
Ernie
