You might consider just using a set of full-length subgauge tubes to preserve the originality of the gun. Briley makes custom as well as "drop-in" tubes according to the gauge of the gun (e.g., 12 to 20 gauge, 16 to 28 gauge, etc.). I went that route some years ago when faced with a situation similar to yours - beautiful Damascus barrels but tissue-paper thin in spots. It is a very rare gun (2 known in the records) and I definitely wanted to shoot it so I got Briley full-length Ultralites (which I would not pay extra for again since the difference was only 4 oz. and the cost was $85 more). A plus is that you can also get the tubes with screw-in chokes. That way, you retain the originality of the gun as well as have degrees of freedom in choke selection.
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