[quote=Run With The Fox..... look closely at the serial number and the serif point shapes of the 1 and also the last number- see anything different between the stampings on the receiver and those of the mating barrel and magazine tube extension?? I do. .... RWTF [/quote]
The ser#'s all look a bit different because they've all been gone over w/ hammer & chisel to sharpen them up somewhat.
I believe they are the original (matching) numbers,,but have been recut. Add to that the blurring done afterwards from the buffer.
The lettering on the left side of the bbl,,at least the portion I can see clearly that says ' 42-410 3IN. CHAM.' has been recut.
The 'MOD' choke marking is recut.
The proof marks look punched 'through the (re)blue' which is appropriate. The strikes are double and triple hits for each mark,,something you don't see very often on factory guns, but it's not unknown.
It's not rare to find a W/P proof mark stamp on a bench other than one at Big Red. Just make one.
Not a simple matter to install VR though.
I don't know if the contractors proofed (and stamped) the bbls after installation or that was done back at New Haven. I'd guess the latter. But I'm not a good guesser.
Just some observations.
Just had my '38 mfg skeet 42 out.
Looks like a nice shotgun,,what 42 isn't?
Would make a great starting point for an engraved upgrade
