Jeff: Thanks for your thoughts and the offer. My concern is that the gun probably ISN'T a Sweet Sixteen. As to the solid rib, I mentioned that simply because it was the first thing he said about the gun that told me it was probably of early manufacture. I have found that pre-war guns are much more likely to be standard weight than the lighter Sweet Sixteen. Would you agree? Although I don't know what the serial number is (my buddy and the gun are still several hundred miles away), regarding the gun's age, he said he was told 1932 ... I figured it was safer just to assume "pre-war." I brought up the matter of the front safety, not because it is a firm indication of chamber length, but because everyone who has used them seems to hate them. Finally, as to post-manufacture alteration, factory or otherwise, I have no idea if the chamber and ejection port have already been opened, but it seems safest to figure they haven't.
Don: Yes, there are plenty of short shells available, but not in non-steel, no-tox options, which he would need for duck hunting.
The bottom line, which I should have researched before posting my question, is that if it's as old as he says, then it started life with short chambers, which may or may not have been opened at some time. I won't know until I see it, buy there's a better than average chance my buddy has bought himself a heavy standard weight gun with a nasty safety, probably a too-tight choke, and short chambers that won't take any off-the-shelf no-tox shells.
Thanks. TT
