Originally Posted by Shotgunlover
Franchi went one better in their old Faconet model, they took out the side ribs too. Other European makers followed with their specialised totally ribless OU models for Woodcock hunting.

Ribs are a strange throwback. In the age of CNC and CAD (yes even in London bests) makers resort to 13th century tinmakers methods to stick unnecessary ribs and create hidden rust spots.

Marlin beat Franchi to the draw by a couple decades. Their Model 90, going back to the 30's, had no top rib. And they took the midrib out after WWII. Savage also made an OU without a top rib (Model 420/430) in this country back before WWII. After that, they went with OU's made in other countries.