Posted by SGT on July 12, 2008, 4:33 pm, in reply to "LC Smith / Repairs"
Josh: Yes, a good double gun smith can repair those barrels; although it won't be an inexpensive repair. From your description, the barrels were hot blued and the chemicals used not properly neutralized so that the rib solder was dissolved. The ribs will require removal, then cleaned and fluzed. At that point the ribs will be wired back in place; then resoldered. Afterwards the barrels will require cleaning; then a proper carding and cold rust blue. While the ribs are removed, the tubes can be re-aligned for correct point of impact. As to re-choking, you have several options; swage chokes (up to modified), choke sleeves (soldered into the end of each tube), or screw-in chokes. As screw-in chokes would not be period correct for a Smith gun, they would not be my choice. Doc Drew will likely post soon with names and numbers of qualified gun smiths; but when one of these guys finishes with a set of barrels, you will never know they were shortened without a factory letter. Good luck