Drew, I've followed these threads with interest, as my 16ga 2E is mentioned. Just now, I decided to go to the safe to examine my Pigeon E 12 completed 11/19/03, as it features an uncommon MonteCarlo stock and has really beefy barrels. I never shoot the gun (one gobbler aside), as it doesn't fit me because of the stock. Lo and behold it is chambered 3" with no reinforcing wedge and no 3" stamp, but it looks unmolested and surely is a 3" gun ! I can't imagine that it didn't leave the factory with anything but the configuration it's in now. Perhaps this answers your question????