lagopus,
Thanks...I wasn't trying to undermine your answer...and I think I do have a better understanding based on your information...but when you say "out of proof" it overwhelmingly implies "unsafe to shoot"...perhaps you should say out of 13/1 tolerances (just like every LC Smith ever made)
OK...let's see...if the minimal safe wall thickness is .025...and IF the bore was .719 (originally) then that is .719 plus .025 x2 = .769...that's less than .770..
You can't take a barrel that has an OUTSIDE diameter of .769 and ream the INSIDE open to .770...
The point is, there is something seriously flawed in the way we read and understand the bore marking system and it's variations...
If your information is correct in all cases then these barrels would have been reamed beyond paper thin, they would be completely gone and you would have to ream another thousanth from thin air...so someting is not exactly correct in your/our interpretation of these marks, but I really appreciate your willingness to hash out the details as we go...thank you...and I'm looking forward to your next reply...
OT...this afternoon is the Rochester gun show, one of the biggest in the state...not since the 1970's have high grade guns been so available, so inexpensively, in such large numbers. The WW II guys are checking out in legions leaving their guns behind in a world that wants black plastic assault guns...this is by far the happiest gun hunting season ever...last week (Syracuse) I saw a Parry Firearms 12ga outside hammer in high condition with Ithaca NY markings, even the buttplate said Ithaca NY (not Wilkes Barre)...It was the first I've ever seen...serial 220...
If Rochester doesn't pan out, I've been offered a graded LC Smith 16ga, straight grip, single trigger, recently re-cased and re-blued by Turnbull, asking $800 ...Superposed shotguns are down to about $600 if you take time to look for the best deal...the cost of collecting double shotguns is dropping at an unpresidented rate...I recently bought a 95% Beretta Silver Snipe in 20 ga IC & M with a single trigger for the asking price of $125...last week I passed on a like new Superposed (12ga flat knob short tang) for any offer over $500
