I do not think the chambers were oval prior to blowing. If so, the fired shells that Drew got with the gun should bear that out, but I'll bet against it.

I also do not think chamber lengthening was involved either. That chamber blew too far back, and was too thin from the day it rolled out the door. The solder behind it does not look too well done either, so if there was a bit of void in places, that would be a spot where pressures would work the steel, perhaps creating a crack where the darkened area of the break is. From there some corrosion or just more time and fatigue and eventually, it had to let go.

In any event, I think this gun was doomed when it was born.

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BrentD, (Professor - just for Stan)

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