Interesting observation original vs repro

[78CJ]

So, all week my wife and I have been turkey hunting with two 20 gauges. One VH 28" O frame roughly mod and full, and one Reproduction DHE 26" IC/Mod.

The Reproduction just seems bulkier but I didn't realize how much until they were laying on the tonneau cover waiting to be unloaded. I could SEE the difference in barrel size. So when I got home I did a little measuring. I was surprised to see the difference.

Repro:

Width at end of breech = 2.050"
Width at end of barrels = 1.425"
Width of rib at breech = 0.550"
Width of rib at end of barrels = 0.340"
Weight = 6 lbs 9 oz

Original:

Width at end of breech = 2.060"
Width of barrels at 26" = 1.362"
Width of rib at breech = 0.530"
Width of rib at 26" = 0.330"
Weight = 6 lbs 2 oz

I was really surprised to see a difference of almost half a pound with 2" more barrel. Now, the Repro is english grip and the original is pistol grip but still.

The most interesting part was I went out and got the 16 Gauge VH 1 Frame with 28" barrels and weighed it, came in at 6 lbs 11 oz. Only 2 oz more than the Repro.

I believe the 20 Gauge VH is circa 1928, so not as late as the ones the Repro were modeled from but close.

How did they end up beefing them up so much?

Ryan