This thread has reminded me of a video that you can watch on YouTube produced by Perazzi. I remembered it from several years ago and watched it again to refresh my memory. It states that Perazzi barrels are manufactured in lots of 60. One barrel out of each lot is destructively tested with hydraulic pressure, to failure. It states that they know exactly where each barrel will fail, apparently from previous data.
We know that Perazzi ribs are still soft soldered onto the barrels. Maybe the possibility of structural change in the steel, at the site of the brazing or welds, is why Perazzi still does this. In this day of advanced welding techniques, I would think technology could be applied to prevent these inclusions, or changes in steel structure at the site of brazing. Apparently so, because Blaser does not solder their ribs, and I do believe Blaser has their act together.
Interesting stuff.
SRH
