That is wuite an example of a very early high grade gun.
Apart from the cosmetic metal finishes, the gun looks to be in great condition.
The gun having the later patend latch is certainly an indication of it being returned to the factory at a later date for the addition of it.
Also, the locking lug being stamped with the “1”, for frame size, would have been done at that time too since the gun is too early to normally have that marking.
The barrels are likely a replacement set completely. The rib on the gun is matted, which was not done until much later and the rib on the original gun would have been narrower. So, either the barrels were replaced completely or the ribs were replaced when the forend was upgraded. I would suspect the reason for the return was the barrels and the forend was part of it.
A research letter would likely give some info on the return.
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B. Dudley
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