Hey Doc Drew, your top picture may be an example of what I commented about on the previous pattern picture. I see “slashes”, diagonal features for lack of a better word. But, there are a few areas that have been ground deeper, revealing the stars from twisting the iron.
I also see a weld, right in the middle? I’d guess more distortion at a weld, due to additional hammering. But, the edges of a ribband that get welded, also there is material loss in the form of slag being brushed and fluxed off. Lost material may be localized loss of the pattern, to greater or lesser extents, based on the skill of the barrel smith? I think good barrel smiths could also “see” the internal pattern that they wanted, and put it where the grinder could reveal it, while maintaining correct barrel dims? Only fun conversation and guessing.
