Rib Matting Overruns

Ruff Hunter · 02-03-2018, 01:56 PM

In the process of doing a full restoration on a VHE, I just finished rebluing the barrels and noticed that there are very faint but unmistakable rib matting overruns beyond the cut off line that extend to the muzzle. They are easier to see in person than in the photo. This gun has barrels that measure exactly 30", touching tubes at the muzzles, intact keels and the expected tight chokes. I am comfortable saying that it is definitely original barrel length, and the faint matting over runs occurred at the factory. It appears that the matting engraver machine was not quite raised high enough off the rib when the stopping point was reached. I can not recall seeing this before. Has anyone else seen such an example?

Ruff Hunter · 02-03-2018, 02:02 PM

Here is another pic from a different angle.

winplumber · 02-03-2018, 02:11 PM

Have you checked the serlization book or do you have a letter ?

Ruff Hunter · 02-03-2018, 02:17 PM

No letter and its not in the serialization book...but I have seen bobbed barrels with matting ground off and they are easy to spot. This gun is definitely original barrel length.

Dean Romig · 02-03-2018, 02:40 PM

I have seen examples of hand engraved "matting" beyond the line in the blank space - for what ever reason I have no idea. I wonder if yours may be a similar one...? It's difficult to see that it may be an overrun of the matting machine because the termination of the matting grooves is as evident as any I have ever seen - so I doubt it.
I wonder if those 'marks' are simply file marks left when the barrels and ribs were first "struck" because they don't seem to line up with the matting grooves.

Have you measured the length of the chokes?

.

Garth Gustafson · 02-03-2018, 10:18 PM

Justin, regardless of any faint imperfections you can detect, congratulations on finishing those barrels. The bluing looks beautiful.