Just got ANOTHER beautiful 16 ga. drilling. The ad said the rifle was 11.5x65R but when I got the gun, it came with 6 cartridges. Four were R-P 444 Marlin cases, but two were unmarked loaded cases that are 52 mm long and 11.35mm at the neck and 11.8mm at the base. Also with the gun was a piece of paper with handwritten "11.15x52R and 62/78". The 444 case fit in the chamber fine but they are 56.3mm long. My guess is the previous owner (deceased) cut them down and used them as handload for the rifle. While trying to figure out the proof date, I came across what seems to be a second serial number (145812). It looks like the shotgun barrels were lengthened to shoot 3" shell, so maybe the rifle was re bored to 444 Marlin? It's just another one of those Drilling Mysteries. Of course I plan to have my gunsmith do a chamber cast, but wanted to ask you all for your opinions while I wait. Thanks!
https://www.dropbox.com/s/vqzpq5dmzka215n/20191022_152652.jpg?dl=0https://www.dropbox.com/s/588cjwe4n5w0k6t/20191022_152557.jpg?dl=0https://www.dropbox.com/s/xj5dg75hu1zvnac/20191022_153224.jpg?dl=0
