Posted by SGT on December 20, 2006, 9:27 am, in reply to "Re: Long Barrels"
Phil: Again, I don't know why Hunter had those 32" Krupp tubes on a later Ideal grade (I'm satisfied those barrels are original to the gun), but such an option was not cataloged after 1905; a point/date at which any decision to drop this option would not have been impacted by any conflicts with the Huns nine years before WWI started and 12 years before direct US involvement. I also disagree with there not being much demand for 32" 20-bore Smith guns; although we don't see tremendous numbers of such guns, the fact that such examples are regularly encountered indicates that there was always some demand. Finally, Hunter never needed Krupp barrels to make a lightweight gun; this was an advertising ploy. A number of lightweight Smith guns have been recorded that were fitted with Whitworth and Nitro steels; so Krupp tubes were not needed for that purpose. Glad to know you have a Krupp gun, as they are not real common; and I suggest, if you have not already do so, you read the 2-part article discussing this topic and other Smith trivia recently published in the DGJ. Regards