Chuck, I went back before I left and did some more close examination.
The 28 ga. had not only been cut to 28", but according to the SN book, left the factory with 26" barrels! So I shudder to think what it was cut back from (a 30" - ouch! or God forbid, a 32" - I think I need another Norvasc). And it looked like the ejectors (if there ever were any) had been replaced by a single extractor, polished out of patina with the rest of the gun. (BTW - the "up & down" engraving font of "Parker Bros" on the side is very characteristic of these first early 0-frame 28s).
The nice old 12 DHE had also been cut from 30" (again according to the SN book). Nice try on the antiquing of the muzzles & keels, though!
The third 26" VHE (interesting in that it had 'Parker" at the break on the bottom, no Parker Bros. on the sides, yet Meriden address barrels) was equipped with a hideous day-glo chartreuse raybar-type front sight, which stuck out like a Cyalume light stick. This contraption was held onto the front 1 1/4' of the rib with a small strip held down by not one but TWO screws through the rib!
The best thing about the whole trip was the jumbo sauteed soft-shell crabs lunch at the Shamrock restaurant in Emmitsburg - outstanding!
P.S. - What do you have to say to indicate that you are a "serious buyer"?
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