those nails or studs were probably put there by somebody who was shooting 12 ga ammo in the gun...the nails would prevent shell from going to far and just get a snap...very ingenius device if this is what they were put there for...is it possible this gun could be a 11 gauge gun...just some thoughts of mine....i would never remove them but thats just me....charlie

Actually talked to Dave today, and told him you might call.

The shotgun is still with my smith at the moment I'll call Dave this week though.

If someone drilled holes in the breech end of the right chamber (and if to shoot 12g shells why not the left?), they would act as stress risers and in my opinion the gun is unsafe. If the barrel wall thicknesses are OK, Briley could possibly sleeve the chambers to 12g.

neither the barrel or breech was (drilled). My gun smith measured barrel thickness and the depth of pitting within the barrels themselves, and determined it is safe to shoot black powder loads. Although my 10 ga brass shots hells need some resizing. Going to call Dave later today to see if he wants to take a look and offer a second opinion. Thanks again to everyone for your interest and comments, all ls appreciated.

And what's going on with the rim recess in the left chamber?

There seems to be some kind of reducing device going halfway around the circumference. :nono:





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Yeah, the guy used two different ways to make 12 gauge shells work. Did your gunsmith comment on these modifications or just say that the gun was safe to shoot? The "nail heads" look like they may be in the extractor, maybe not in the barrel itself.

I couldn't tell if it was something like this, or just the lighting/reflection

http://pic20.picturetrail.com:80/VOL.../335165419.jpg

this barrells being shown have definitely been sleevedmaybe 10 to 12 ga......charlie

That is my opinion as well .