John,
You may be correct. The sidelocks reflect the early serial number. They kept making internal changes over the years. The barrels appear to be slightly thicker than the normal Quail. This would make sense if they intended to engrave the breech and muzzle. The metal to metal fit seems better than the average Quail as well. The barrels have been nicely struck. Not the rough look of some I have seen.
From info I have, there were approximately 120,000 Empire / Quail guns made. Not sure how many were done in 410.
HomelessJoe, the so-called "rook" gun was the model 44. It came in 44XL and perhaps other rifle calibers that had shot cartridges available at the time. The Quail should have all been 2 1/2" chambers. Perhaps at the very end, 1931 they would have made a few in 3".
Pete
