Posted by SGT on October 19, 2007, 10:05 pm, in reply to "Re: Pigeon Grade"
Beavertail after-market wood is commonly added to an existing fore iron; so a matching iron serial number means nothing as regards existing fore arm wood now (Hunter did not catalog the beavertail option until the 1920s, more than 10 years after the Pigeon grade was discontinued). Case colors on Smith frames commonly fade to an almost "nickeled" appearance (likely has something to do with the alloys in the frame metal); so if you've not had enough experience with vintage guns to distinguish between a naturally "bright" frame and metal plating, please get someone who knows the difference to accompany you on the next inspection. 12-bore Pigeon Grades with 28" tubes are not real common; but some were manufactured (many Pigeon grades with two sets of barrels will often have the second set at 28"). The only sure way to accurately determine original barrel length is to request a letter from the museum at Cody. If an original shipping record remains for this serial number, the barrel length will be posted in the shipping records. The only other method is to measure existing chokes; but this is not always reliable, as factory chokes can be altered/removed (without shortening barrels) and cut barrels can be swage/jug choked to add up to a modified choke where barrel shortening has completely removed original choking. Vintage guns can sometimes be a crap shoot; but again, at $800 for a PE Grade with steel barrels, I would think you may be able to overlook some "warts". Good luck with this gun.