John, It is my understanding that weep holes were drilled in the short rib between the forend lug and barrel lug to allow any solution that may have seeped in from minute voids in the ribs to drain out and not rust the barrel tubes from the inside out. I agree that drilling the end of the tubes would be a better way but how would you replace the barrel keels that Parker installed on the muzzle end. I would rather have the original keels in place than the void filled with solder.
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"Much care is bestowed to make it what the Sportsman needs-a good gun"-Charles Parker
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