To answer a previous question the floor plate serial numbers to the gun. It has very shootable dimensions. I'm a shooter-collector, some guys are collector-collectors and only want high original condition. I get that and have examples that would easily qualify but they are safe queens. To me the guns are to be taken and used and enjoyed and shared with those who don't know about them. How many Grade 4's make it to the fields? This one will and will not be sold but passed to my special snowflake who appreciates them too.

"This one will and will not be sold but passed to my special snowflake who appreciates them too."

Sounds like the perfect excuse to make it right again!

Eight years ago, at a small auction in W. Palm Beach Fl., I picked up a C grade 2 frame serial number 90681 listed as Ti4 S 12ga 28”. Some idiot hack sawed both sets of Barrels to 14”. The gun left Meridan with a dogs head butt plate and 28” Titanic steel Barrels IM and IM and a second set of 30” F and F with matching forends. Got it for no money so Chris Dawe redid the wood and I had a set of Vulcan steel Barrels that went on the gun like they were made for it. That gun now resides I Kansas and the owner just loves it. Weighed 8 pounds and balanced beautifully. Very early grade 4 with Titanic steel Barrels leaving Meridan early 1899.

Kudos. A wise and well-considered position. And about all you'd need to make this gun a bit more prideful is to have those rounded edges of the bottom plate laser welded back up, the plate refitted, edge engraving restored, and the wear/patina matched up in that area.

If it were me, I'd send the gun off to Brad Bachelder and have it done. Cost for the work should be very tolerable.

Personally, I like bringing far gone guns back from the dead and restoring them to their former glory.. Although this ones not far gone you might as well have the work done.. If you plan on keeping it, then why not? I don’t really care if I’m under water on guns that I plan on keeping anyways. Also under water now might not be in 5-10 years anyways.

You're speaking my language. Besides, the before and after photos are more striking if you start in really bad shape

Sir,
Please grant me license to use the "striking before and after photos " argument for pleadings with my wife.