1 st and 2nd gen engraving, question

Knothole · Post by **Knothole** » Fri Apr 18, 2008 3:55 pm

Besides being intro'd in 1913 does anyone know a serial # break point for latest early engraving and earliest 2nd gen? I know both overlapped for a whileand some guns left later than the serial # would seem to indicate. but is there a number at which virtually all were 2nd gen?

Researcher · Post by **Researcher** » Fri Apr 18, 2008 4:17 pm

Actually the early-style engraving is still shown in the 1913 catalogue. The Gough engraving appears in the 1914 catalogue. The first magazine ad I've found showing the new engraving is the February 1914 National Sportsman. An ad in the April 1914 Field & Stream still shows the early-style B-Grade engraving.

On graded 12-gauge guns the 2nd generation engraving begins appearing in the mid-to-high 20xxx serial number range, but I have recorded one AE-Grade with the early style engraving in the 210xx range. In the graded 20-gauge guns the Gough engraving becomes pretty standard by 200400 and in the 16-gauges by 300385. The sample set I'm drawing these smallbore conclusions from is very small, so I wouldn't bet a lot of money on them!

Post by **fox-admin** » Fri Apr 18, 2008 7:21 pm

The lowest serial number we have recorded with late style engraving in 12ga is 21073, an A grade. I do not believe there is a "hard" break off serial number from one engraving style to another.