That comb is not even correct for an Ilion era gun.
The comb, the cheeks and the bottom of the grip are dead givaways in regards to styling that tell you it is a restock.

Again... it looks like a fine gun. We are just answering your questions about originality or not.

Others have suggested some things about the barrels and their fitment in the dolls head area. I would agree that it at least looks like the barrels have been set back some at one time. The serial stamping on the barrels looks off to me, but the big question is if it matches in style to the frame and forend. If it does, then fine. If it is completely different, then the barrels could be replacements.

Dont you just love asking a bunch of people on the internet their opinions on some photos of a gun...?

Sure it’s a restock, but mullered borders aside, that checkering pattern is spot on and looks well-executed on a beautiful piece of wood. Whoever stocked it did a nice job. If the barrels check out, I think you did real well on this purchase. Order a letter. Is this a 16ga 1 frame?

Thank you Brian. I will have to look at the serial number stamps. How would they have a newer or different serial number stamped there? Factory replacement or fakes??? I will order the letter later. Garth, he said a guy named Pirelli did "stock work" 30 years ago, but that's not a name I can find on line. Yes, it's a #1 frame 28" barrels. I intend to put a number of field marks on it over the years, God willing.

What is the best way to compare the barrel serial# to another???

The gauge, barrel length, versus price, determines whether it is an acceptable purchase. The room around the doll's head is a question, but no one can answer it.

Andy,
What is being referred to in the stamping is whether the “font/script” of the numbers look like each other on the water table and lug. If the barrels are replacements and someone stamped the barrels to the same serial number the “font/script” could look different.

I find that this font style with no crosslets for the barrel lug serial number stamps starts sometime after the 191xxx serial number range.

Attachment 93935

Attachment 93936

Regarding the space around the doll's head - especially beneath the "doll's" haircut and the "shoulders" of the frame is a definite indication that the barrels were loose on the frame or even off face and the act of adding metal to the joint or hook will necessarily cause this space. My conclusion is that this remedy was done and it shouldn't be loose today.





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I'm at work so unable to look closely at the serial number style until tonight. Dave my serial style looks similar to your lower image on first eyeball.

Dave, My sales manager of many years was in his own world when he got home doing Heraldry for jewelry engravers, and Coats of Arms for anyone who asked. If I didn't hear 'crosslets' a hundred times a week, it was rare. That style of stamping is so pleasing to the eye.