"and re 8 gauge smiths... as i recall brophy listed 33 8 gauge guns in the back of his book...about 15 years ago, one pasted through my hands that is not included in brophy's list...wonder where #34 is now?"
There's several more than the 33-34 8-bore Smith guns listed in Brophy's book; I've personally held two examples in my sweaty hands, both were in the 9XXXX serial number range. There are blocks of pre-13 serial number records missing in the 4XXXX and 9XXXX series, and I suspect there are several 8-bore guns within those blocks that will remain unknown until and unless those records are located.
