Manton

[jimhallam]

One thing to bear in mind is that in the British Trade (especially Birmingham ) they didn't normally make "guns" (i.e., the trade term for shotguns) to a specific gauge. The people who made the barrels --- probably several outworkers for the different stages -- ended up with "fine boring" -- - after which the barrels were THEN gauged. That is why (sorry to refer to breechloaders but the 1874 Rules of Proof are the best example to use) you get guns marked 12, 12/1, 13, 14 -- as the barrels get slightly smaller, and you will find double marks, e.g., B12 M13 - a choked barrel.
Feltwad is right -- don't overstress the older bundhooks.

 

[Daleallen]

Thank you for the update. Great information!

Dale Allen