As noted in the McNeeley Shoot-A-Que thread, Phil brings a Research Letter confirmed 1896 No. 1 with Birmingham Provisional Proof (BP) marked 4 Iron "British Best" damascus! The No. 1 was introduced in 1890 with Laminated Steel until about 1898, then with "Good 2 Rod Damascus"



The top barrel pattern is a bit messy. Refinished by Buck Hamlin



We have very good evidence that the vast majority of Twist, Damascus and Laminated Steel barrel tubes used by U.S. maker were sourced in Belgium; certainly after the late 1880s. It is not uncommon however to find BP marked barrels on earlier guns. I've seen a single Colt Model of 1883 Hammerless with LONDON provisional proof also.

This is an early (?c. 1870) Parker Front Action Lifter with 3 Iron Crolle



A Remington Whitmore Model 1875 with Laminated Steel and BP

Optimus with 4 Iron "Turkish" and BP



A 1892 Lefever Optimus with Laminated Steel



BP AND W.J. PTD



W.J. possibly William Palmer Jones, who had several patents (including a Try-Gun)?? I could not find a WPJ patent specifically for Laminated Steel.
https://doublegunshop.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=72839

Interestingly, a 1894 0 grade Smith with WJ. The 0 grade was introduced in 1894 initially with Twist but very soon switched to "Good 2 Rod Damascus"

The Smith A-1 was introduced in 1891 with "Very Fine 3 Rod Damascus"

A 1891 A-1 with BP; I can't tell if it is 3 or 4 Rod



This 1893 A-1 with BP has 4 Rod "Damas Rosen" with the clear weld line down the middle of the scrolls. It is an uncommon British pattern.

So how did Phil's No. 1 end up with BP 4 Iron "British Best" tubes?

The Winter 2020 Journal of the LCSCA had an article regarding a 1901 F (lowest) grade hammer gun also with 4 Iron "British Best" tubes but AFAIK no BP



Phil once had another 1901 F grade with not very well matched 4 Iron



Maybe the high grade barrels were special ordered for a lower grade gun?
I am of the opinion that Hunter Arms may have just been using up "old" British sourced rough forged tubes, but why use 4 Iron? It is very difficult to discern the pattern of rough forged tubes, which were paired and wired together for shipping in barrels of 50. Maybe the tubes were in the bottom of a bin later filled with Belgian 2 Iron tubes? Maybe it was Monday after St. Patrick's Day?

PLEASE CHECK YOUR PATTERN WELDED BARRELS AND POST IF YOU FIND PROVISIONAL BIRMINGHAM PROOF

Thought as to 'WJ' would be most appreciated also.