Posted by SGT on March 20, 2007, 11:24 am, in reply to "Re: Eagle Grade"
Jason: For whatever my opinion is worth, and based on photos of the gun only; I believe your gun to be original with the possible exception of the pad. As to the pad, examine the maker's name; if it says "Whiteline" only as the maker it could be original, as Hunter did install original Whiteline pads on customer request. If the pad name is "Pachmayer Whiteline Pad", it is not original as Frank Pachmayer did not purchase the Whiteline pad company prior to the closing of the Smith gunworks. One other possible method to determine pad originally is to remove the pad and check the screw mounting holes. If there are only two holes (one each at top and bottom) and the pad name is Whiteline, I would think the pad original to the gun. If you see more than one set of screw mounting holes, the pad was definately added at some point after orginal shipment (and since your pad needs replacement, have it done in something period: a Silver's, Hawkins, NoShoc, leather, etc). As to wood originally, the serial number and grade of your gun will be stamped into the wood beneath the trigger guard strap, and beneath the iron on the forearm; however, as it has been pointed out in this thread, serial number stamps can be faked and it's certainly a lot easier to fake a stamp in wood than metal (but then no serial numbers in those locations would be a sure sign of stock replacement). As to the "NP" stamps on the barrel flats, those are Hunter Arms factory stamps denoting that your gun was proofed for use with Nitro/smokeless powder loads when manufactured. I wish you good collecting. Tom