I can go either way in this discussion. I collect Smiths, mostly pre-13 guns, and shoot them all (some better than others!). By and large Smiths were delivered to the wholesaler choked full and OMG, and none bore (no pun intended) choke markings. Unless one is fortunate enough to obtain the original paperwork on a special-ordered gun, chances are even the factory records won't indicate how the gun was choked when it left the factory.
Having said that, I have opened chokes on some in my collection for my own personal use, and don't regret it at all---and---whose to know but me! Another example--- an "A" grade 16 Fox that I own, selected as the consummate grouse gun with factory 26" #3 tubes came to me choked M/F is now choked M/IC---would anyone even question the way it's now choked?
