Mike, sorry about the .717 size. That was the original size using the Skeet's gage, and most likely the balls were sticking because the plugs showed the bores to be larger.
Jack, the barrels have the familar "v" notches at the top and bottom ribs, typical of the earlier nicer graded "elsies". My guess is that someone honed the chokes out, as most were shipped full/full unless otherwise ordered. I could order a letter and it would tell me how long, but I am sure they were made with 28".
The bores taken with the plug gages are more to reason and make sense. Typically L.C. Smith choke area is straight for 1" and then tapered for 1 9/16 to bore. The standard bore size back then was .728-9 and I have seen some smaller, one hammer gun I have from 1899 has a bore of .725, later they seemed to be .730-.732.
So thanks to all that helped, and the culprit I believe is that the balls were sticking givng inaccurate readings from the muzzle side.
Oldfarmer was right, the only way to see is to pattern it.
Last edited by JDW; 10/01/10 10:50 PM.
