Re: An "O" Grade Smith for targets?
The twist barrels have better finish remaining and do not have any internal freckling (the others reportedly do) and they are arguably better choked for clays (mod/mod) versus full/full. The earlier gun (1891, sn-34342) has a bit more drop (but not too-much), with an original dogs-head butt-plate. The shaping of the action is strikingly better than the later gun, and is remarkably different (looks way-less mass-produced). In the photography, I don't see any suspicious cracking in the head of the stock, although the wood is quite darkened near the jaws and I'd suspect it's a bit oil-soaked. The later gun looks like it's ready to go, the earlier gun looks less-polished and more weathered....tough call. Is the damascus materially stronger when compared to the twist?
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