It's really interesting. I have a 1905 Ithaca Field grade Lewis model 16 ga with 26 in nitro steel barrels, believe it is all original, that has .653 and .651 bores, respectively, choked to .643 and .631, IC and Mod. Very mild pitting in the first third. I have no clue what is going on with these bores. You wonder whether there was a concerted plan to bore guns differently, which seems unlikely, or whether they just used barrel reamers until they were so worn that undersized bores resulted, then choked to suit. This doesnt explain the oversized bores in 12 ga, however. I guess I'll just file it away in "imponderables." Thanks
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