Frank, Can't answer your question, but I have seen one like yours with the same thing, and I have seen Longrange with the 3" chambers not having it. I guess this is why it is fun to research and find out from others what they have and don't have. Here is a picture of a Longrange, 3" chambers no re-inforcing splinter, and a Specialty Wildfowl with 3" chambers and the re-inforcing splinter but what is wrong in the picture of the Specialty. There are two things.