If he won't put a price on it that's prolly because it's "old and worth a lot of money". My experience in situations like that has been that no matter what you offer will not be enough cuza the oawalom factor.
The stars are the choke markings. Somewhere on the bottom of the barrels will be a small stamped square with Roman numerals or a pair of letters in it. That is a proof code that will date the gun.

good luck

Dr.WtS


Dr.WtS
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