Question about 1929 Sterlingworth barrels

[DoubleOframe]

Thanks for posting the pictures Kirk. It's difficult to say without having the barrels in hand to take a closer look. If I had to guess I would say the "pins" in the rib as shown in the middle picture are actually plugged weep holes that somebody unfortunately added for rebluing. The fact that they stand out leads me to believe the extra weep holes are either filled with plug screws that have been dressed down flush with the rib or just solder. If the rib is loose and you can flex it then some water or bluing solution was likely left in between the ribs. Until you get the rib off you won't really know how bad the damages are or aren't. You may want to have a good gunsmith take a closer look as it may require some extensive work to weld/hide the extra holes, properly relay the ribs and rust blue the barrels.

[J. A. EARLY]

If you have an air compressor reduce the pressure to about ten pounds and blow some air around the void. If a brown powder comes out, the barrels were hot-blued at some time and the solder has dissolved. The extra plugged weep holes indicate a bluing job, maybe more than one, probably plugged with solder (maybe a lead shot peened into the holes). If it is steel then it is probably a screw dressed down. Scratch it to see if it is steel or lead.

But the current finish on the barrels looks to be rust-bluing just looking at the pictures without seeing it in person. If nothing comes out and that is the only spot, shoot it. It could be a void from the factory (Oh My!). See a previous discussion on this. The worst that will happen is it will get worse and the ribs will need to be re-laid and the barrels reblued, costing a good part of the value of the gun. Keep it well oiled to prevent moisture getting in there if that is the only spot.