Dan: Over the years I've heard all sorts of stories regarding employee guns and the smokey world of corporate intrigue surrounding same. According to Charles Jerred, an employee could purchase any grade Smith gun at actual manufacturing cost; and most guys apparently considered that policy very fair and observed same. But he also noted that he was aware others chose not to play by the rules; pieces/parts tossed out windows, barrels stuffed inside overalls, etc. I also understand an employee would sometimes purchase a Field, or low grade gun; then trade-out/contract on the side for custom engraving and/or stock/checkering work by Hunter's best craftsmen to create a much higher grade gun. And finally, I've heard that Hunter (and probably Marlin) would occassionally make special "deals" on guns for family members, certain corporate executives, and special personal friends and business associates/clientele whereby these individuals were offered a high grade gun; but recorded the gun as a lower grade with its correspondingly lower grade price. I haven't been able to confirm this last allegation; but your gun certainly qualifies as a possible candidate under that senario. Just think about a mistake of this magnitude; it makes no sense that even the least experienced accouting clerk could miss a grade recording/entry so badly unless directed to do so. Afterall, each gun has the grade designation clearly stamped/engraved atop the barrel; and further, each gun was also given a final instpection by a trained inspector prior to shipment. Are we asked to actually believe that a grade was misread/wrongly recorded in both departments? Virtually inconceivable unless, of course, a selected gun did not follow; or somehow by-passed standard inspection procedures, perhaps being personally "inspected" or managed and recorded by a well-placed company official! It is inconceivable to me that ANY inspector could ever fail to recognize the differences between a Crown and Specialty Grade, or a Field and Monogram as in the case of the two .410 Mongrams (and remember that high-grade Smiths got extra inspection attention for tiny flaws and perfection in detail prior to shipping). Why, if I/you were blind as a bat, I/you could FEEL the grade difference between a Crown and Monogram Grade just in the engraving and checkering quality alone! So in my personal opinion, I believe this last senario of special "grade management" has far more plausibility than it does deniability. And though you may never learn the history behind your gun Dan; it could have a most colorful past.