Let's say they had a special order for 26" which would be pretty rare at that time. To keep proper convergence, metal would have to be removed from the inner outside of the chamber area to make the muzzles meet. Maybe the barrel maker deemed it not necessary to remove metal and the chamber end and therefore the muzzles wouldn't meet to keep proper convergence.
I know with Ithacas, muzzles didn't necessarily meet. Ask Walter Snyder. I looked on three big gun sites and there were only about four 1894/1900s with 26" barrels. UNfortunately, none showed the muzzles. 1894/1900s were offered with 26".
With muzzles measurements of .705 and the standard being .729; maybe some were .725, I believe there has to be considerable doubt the barrels were cut.
I emailed the seller and told him the only way to know for sure was to have the bores measured and see where the choke taper begins.
Last edited by 2holer; 07/26/13 11:56 AM.
