Franc and others. Maybe it depends on the period as to what grade was highest. Lots of makers worked in that manner. Around 1900, the G60 Royal , and the G 70 Imperial , were topped only by the Presentation Grade. In these designations the 60 of G 60 would change over the years as the same guns cost more. Similar on G 70. A guinea was just a bit more that a pound. At that time the Royal would have a gold Crown on the top lever, while the Imperial would have a gold Crown with a gold Sceptre. This general discussion relates mostly to the Greener boxlock, rather than sidelocks.
Graham Greener's book lists the Grades as follows for Best guns as he describes them.
1855 to 1889------ Upper [Best]40, 36, and35 gns--Middle [Best]34 gns--Lower [Best] 31 gns
1889-1894---------Upper [Best] 60 gns, Medium [Best] 55 gns, Lower [Best]50 gns
1893-1903-----Upper [Best] Presentation 85 gns, Middle [Best] Imperial 70 gns, Lower [Best] Royal 60 gns
The list goes on for Grading from 1902-1965
Most guns after 1902 seem to be marked with the grade such as G70 for Imperial [G ejector gun], but prior to that many are not grade marked. I have No. 49,007 which is a 1900 made Monarch Imperial, but has no grade marks. Greener's records confirm the grade and note the half dozen workmen that completed the gun as the same workmen who labored on the Imperial G guns.
Last edited by Daryl Hallquist; 06/09/11 04:32 PM.
