I got great news, the Postmaster emailed me and the barrels have been recovered! YAY! I guess I was worried about nothing, but I think by my going to the PO every single day, it got the ball rolling. I have to tell you, sitting around thinking about the old, English gunmaker, who is long since dead, painstakingly and lovingly making those barrels, and that they were lost, or in a dumpster somewhere.......well, the thought of that almost made me throw up. Again, thanks to all of you for listening and for your advice to be the squeaky wheel who gets the grease. I'm VERY relieved!
