[B. Dudley]

Ribs cannot be relaid without refinishing of the barrels. Either fluid steel or Damascus.

Regarding your top lever, I am not really sure of what the issue is that you are having backed on your description. I gather the lever is bent downward. It is likely from someone not tripping the lever to its closed position after removing the barrels. Then the gun was dropped on the lever or something of the sort. When a gun is cased or shipped, the lever should always be tripped to avoid damage.