Posted by David Williamson on August 9, 2018, 6:05 am, in reply to "1897? Double barrel"
I believe your hammer gun is from 1896. It should be a 5 pin lock with the Type II hammers, although some of the earlier hammer guns in the 53000 range had the Type I hammers. The correct butt plate would be the one with a setter with his right foot on a rock. If the for-end will not snap on it is a good chance the for-end spring is too short and not catching in the barrel loop. Not sure what the "E is for on the barrels.
When you get a chance could you send me the whole serial number, length of barrels so I can put them in my records. jdw110@live.com Thanks