[Austin W Hogan]

This gun; 124528, predates the first single barrel trap gun by about 50,000 serial numbers. Several of us have seen the first known SxS with a "large" or "trap" forend which has the note "fore end like trap" in the order book. The first V grades with trap forends and or vent ribs that show in the order books have serials well above 200000; however Parker advertised retrofitting of ejectors, trap forends and vent ribs during the 1920's. This gun has the trap forend showing the proper screw. These parts were available until the very end. I have a box with post mark 15 Mar 1987 that still contains trap forend irons and unfinished ssbps from Remington's parts disposal after sale by DuPont.
I have had some barrels reblued by Del Grego. They did not buff barrels; they were filed and emoried longitudinally, and sent to LeFever or other local shops for blueing. Frames were drawn over a gas stove, polished and re engraved in the Del Grego shop. They were sent to LeFever ( who had the proper straightening jigs) for case hardening until Bob Lefever's retirement. After that, Runge took them to Remington to be re cased after he recut the engraving. Reminton ceased re casing when the cyanide process was no longer grandfathered.
Ribs were not emoried; it appears that this rib was either severly pitted, or may have had a vent rib attached when the btfe was fitted, and the vent rib later removed.
With respect to an accompanying note; I visit Orvis frequently; as of my latest visit in spring of this year, they had only a small gunroom, and no gunsmithing facilities.

Best, Austin