Pigeon Grade

Posted by Rolf Henretty on March 13, 2012, 4:02 pm
66.229.64.237

I have a Pigeon grade #37217. extractors, no precious metal in the rib. And says HUNTER ARMS CO. MAKERS FULTON N.Y. CROWNSTEEL on the rib. I looked up date of manufacture as 1893. And Pigeon grade didn't go on sale till 1895 am I correct? Do I have a rare bird? Thanks Rolf

Re: Pigeon Grade

Posted by H. McMurchy on March 13, 2012, 5:31 pm, in reply to "Pigeon Grade"
68.2.21.200

Please see http://docs.google.com/View?id=dfg2hmx7_343dn6phncv and "The L.C. Smith Pigeon Gun" by Drew Hause, James Stubbendieck and Terry Allen, The Double Gun Journal, Volume 22, Issue 2, 2011, Page 110. Hunter Arms made the first run of 10 Pigeon Grade guns (SNs 37209 to 37218) in May 1893

Re: Pigeon Grade

Posted by Ken on March 13, 2012, 11:04 pm, in reply to "Pigeon Grade"
76.246.32.78

Please post pictures!

Re: Pigeon Grade

Posted by Rolf on March 15, 2012, 8:40 am, in reply to "Re: Pigeon Grade"
66.229.64.237

Thanks alot for the info. I guess she is fairly rare, It also has 32" bbls. I wonder how many of the first 10 have 32" bbls. At this time I am unable to post pics. Rolf

Re: Pigeon Grade

Posted by Rolf on March 16, 2012, 9:14 am, in reply to "Re: Pigeon Grade"
66.229.64.237

I removed the lockplates, under the left the reciever is stamped #3 with a P overstamped. So must be the origional 10 started life as #3s.

Re: Pigeon Grade

Posted by patrick lien on March 16, 2012, 10:12 pm, in reply to "Pigeon Grade"
Message modified by board administrator March 17, 2012, 8:08 pm

Finally another one surfaces. I have had 37215 for a number of years and have been looking for others from the first run in 1893 every since found mine. These first guns are different from other Pigeon guns in the engraving on the barrels and the locks. Good find!! Patrick