I realize this sounds like a simple question, but besides length is there any indications to look for to determine if barrels have been cut down? The specifics of my Holland are: 29 3/4" barrels, choked cyl/cyl, wall thickness is 23 and 24 thousanths, and balance is about 1" behind the hinge pin.
I paid for the factory letter, but it seems Holland did not start recording barrel lengths until the 1890's, mine was finished in 1875. Due to the wall thickness, and that while the chambers have minor pitting the barrels are mirror smooth, I'm surmising they have been honed. Would that remove enough metal to change the balance point? The patina on the muzzles is the same as the rest of the barrels, so if they were cut its been a very long time since they were done. Or did English guns occasionally wear odd barrel lengths like this one?
Thank you for any input, and a merry Christmas to all!
