Pat,
When you know more about the gun, I'd be happy to help.
In regards to the "Superior grade" identification . . . (alright, let me admit up fron that this point has sort of snow-balled to become pet peeve :-) ) . . . no such thing as a Lindner-made "superior grade" Daly.
Unfortunately the "grade" terminology, and specifically the "empire" and "superior" grade terminology, has been incocrrectly associated with Lindner (and most other) Prussian Dalys.
Schoverling, Daly, and Gales (SD&G) retailed Charles Daly guns for over 50 years. During this period Charles Daly guns were sold by model number (e.g., a "number 185"). Some of these guns were grouped by quality level (e.g., "diamond quality"). While the diamond quality term was first applied to one model (one hammerless gun and one hammer gun), it was later used as an umbrella term for several models. Depending on the year, a model 275 "diamond quality" gun might represent SD&G's highest offering, or few years later, might have been a couple rungs from the top. That is why the model number, in context of the year of production, is so important. Without both, there can be a lot of ambiguity.
To nitpick, the "grade" terminolgy is not correct. I use it too occasionally, but it is a collector term and technically not correct. The "quality level" is really how some of them were classifed.
However, the "empire" and "superior" terms are the ones that make me cringe when applied to pre-1930 Prussian Dalys. The terms first show up a circa-1930 post-SD&G catalog. This catalog was one of the first catalog reprints available 10+ years ago, and the terms unfortuntely found their way into the Blue Book and other pubs and have been used (incorrectly) ever since to describe earlier Daly guns. I have never seen a SD&G catalog use the terms. And since Lindner ceased his production circa-1916 for SD&G, there is technically no such animal as a Lindner-made "superior quality gun." Again, model numbers are how Daly guns should be classified.
I know it is a small point. Just realize that the scope of different modles of Prussian Dalys is much more complex than the "superior, empire, diamond, regent diamond" summary found in the Blue Book. The data should be corrected, but explaining it all would take several pages given the number of models and features of Prussian Daly shotguns.
OK, off my soap box <g>. Hopefully you are able to bring the gun home Pat.
Best regards,
Ken
