If the dent is not visible inside the barrels that is a good reason to get the wall thicknesses measured as that may indicate that the bore had been honed.
As to the grade it appears to be a Facile Princeps action, and at page 121 illustration 249 of Graham Greener’s book there is a picture of a F16 or Forester grade gun with the same machine applied decoration.
F16 stands for Facile Princeps 16 guineas.
I can’t puzzle out the mystery marking ???PA?
Does it also appear on the other barrel?
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I took a really good look down the barrel with the dent with varying lighting and can see a very small defect where the dent is--it should come out nicely. I will definitely have my smith check the wall thickness. Thanks for the information on the grade!
The lettering in question is quite small and worn and there may be a trace of the same stamping on the other barrel in the same place, but only the top of what might be the P and the A? I guess it probably doesn't matter!
Ed
