As I recall the Parker SKBPs were nitre blued, not hardened. I have 3 from various grades (G; D and B) and none exhibit the type of increasing embellishment or intricasies of engraving patterns that you would expect from an ascending-grade perspective. That is, the B is not that much more elaborate than the G; only tighter border scroll and slightly heavier fill. I don't know that I've seen an original A grade recently, but to my mind you really don't see the very ornate patterns and fill until you cross the "AA Threshold" in Parker Guns. Some of the early AAs (before the A-1 grade was offered) rival the most beautiful and intricate engraving I've ever seen anywhere. KBM
