[quote=Drew Hause].....Is the top rib extension wedge brazed to the thin medial barrel wall a design defect, or was this a manufacturing error?.....[quote]
Only curious, with all the comments about oxidation, was any thought given to the possibility that changes happened to the gun over the last many decades? Rather than all the oxidation being inherent to this gun, could plain old rust have altered once sound material or exacerbated once inconsequential inclusions?

If its inherent, any thought about what to look for? Great batch of follow up pictures and comments. Thanks much Doc Drew.