Clif W.The proof marks seen on your gun are those normally found on 2 1/2 inch chambered, English 20 gauge guns.Based on your comments there is little doubt that a mix-up occured at some place in the ordering, manufacturing or even as others have suggested at the proof house. My opinion is that the gun was made with 2 1/2 inch chambers and that the error was not discovered until the gun was delivered to the origional owner in the U.S.A. At that time a decision was made to extend the chambers to 2 3/4 and as part of that process that the new chamber length 2 3/4 was stamped on barrels. It should be noted that; no change was made to the maximum allowable shot charge[ie;increasing it from 7/8 to 1 ozs.].
During this era many English guns imported into the U.S.A arrived with 2 1/2 chambers.Chambers of these guns was frequently extended to 2 3/4 without regard to the English rules of proof.In my experience more than half of the English guns I have encountered over the past 40 years have had the chambers extended and have never been submited for English reproof.
That is why it is imperative I wait for Roy to get back from holiday and speak with him, to find out just exactly what the heck the deal is. I want to believe in my heart that this gun came with 2 3/4 because it was ordered for an American family who shot Boss guns almost exclusively. But the max allowable shot charge does not bear this out, nor does the gun's svelt weight of 5 lbs 6 oz. To me this is like painting a mustache on the Mona Lisa and the kiss of death. Its a shame if thats the case
