I have #2182xx here. Great grandfather's gun from the farm.

Madis says 1904.

It's tight, even the takedown system is tight. That's where I've seen older ones get lose. The bore is very pitted, but there's enough 'beef' that I consider it safe with reasonable target loads.

The carrier is also the locking piece. It's a big chunk of machine work that locks into the breech bolt about half it's diameter. It may be the strongest shotgun action I've seen.

They are great fun, and a direct link to The Master himself.

"The price of good shotgunnery is constant practice" - Fred Kimble