As for myself, I'm still more fascinated 'why' the bottom barrel rent along the two weld/braze lines connecting the side ribs.....and a few of you might be right about them being more heavily struck along the side ribs. I recognize that a catastrophic event such as what happened in the lower barrel is likely going to have it opening up someway/somehow, yet was puzzled to find the two perfectly linear tears.
Rob
Excellent job of 'detective' work here Robert! I commend you for your effort. Also thanks for all the other opinions.
I also 'really' wish the fired hulls were in hand!
I think that(possibly) overlapping shear stress might have caused the tear lines to follow the silver braze line between the lower barrel and side plates as they did.
Again as a speculation...... I believe the sear engagement for the upper barrel hammer was jarred free from the violent nature of the rupture in the bottom barrel. Thus firing the upper barrel load which quickly met the upper barrel damage induced by lower barrel rupturing.... This climax causing the upper barrel bulge.
Please keep us informed what you find out Robert!
doubleornothin
