Bob probably started this thread to flush me out. He knew I couldn't resist. The Lovely Linda owns a DHE 26" gun with touching tubes at the muzzle that was originally a 30" gun. That particular gun has taught me to ignore touching tubes as a sign of originality. We buy letters, measure bores and chokes, and look at rib ends with lots of skepticism and high magnification. I said I thought it was a great gun, but not original. The price reflects that. However, as I said in my first post, I think the rib end looks terrible, at least in the pictures.

winplumber,
I have always considered the standards for MWT to be measurements in the barrel range of 11" to 16" from the barrel breach. I have always considered barrel thilckness at the choke area irrelavant since pressure at that point is insignificant.
AM I WRONG??
Oh, and I'm not going to say it's a fake for the same reason I'm not going to say it is original; that's an opinion not a fact.
Bob Jurewicz

Come on, Bob, order that letter. This gun could easily have gone back to the factory for a trim. Of course, someone will probably buy it before the letter gets to you. Again, nice gun.

I am going to hold or pull the gun from GI and order a letter!!!!!!
Thank you all!!
I will report back when I receive it.
Bob Jurewicz

The 3" long chokes are hard to explain. Of course I don't know where Bob measured bore diameters but the ones he posted look to me to be original. Could the barrels be jug choked? What is the diameter of the bore 3-1/2" from the muzzle?

Minimum wall thickness for me means wherever it occurs. While a barrel with .020" MWT 6" from muzzle may not burst when shot if it gets dented there I have been told that there may not be enough metal left to do a proper repair. Frequently I find thin spots where dents have been repaired, usually on the muzzle half of the barrel. Anyway I check the wall thicknesses for the entire barrel length. I also check chamber wall thicknesses at the muzzle end of the chambers.

Minimum wall thickness is not just about safely holding pressure but also about repairablity in the event of a dent.

Best,

Mike

Bob would you mind measuring and posting the bore diameters at the muzzle, at three inches from the muzzle, and 3-1/2" from the muzzle. That will tell us if it is jug choked.

Thanks!

Mike

Mike,
It is not jug choked!!
I sent for the letter yesterday so we will know whatever it is soon.
Bob Jurewicz

OK. I received the "letter". It states the 27" barrels were added in 1910 and they were choked Cyl/Mod just as they currently are.
I will add a copy of the letter as soon as the current T strorm lets up so I can get it to Photobucket.
Wow!!!!!!!!
Bob Jurewicz
I just can't get a copy of this letter here. It is not the T storm. Photobucket will not accept it.

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j1...s/83043002.jpg

Now: does anyone have the original 30" barrels?????

Bob, I told you I liked that gun. Now do you believe me? Great gun.

Cool Bob!

Fun thread - thanks for starting it.

Best,

Mike