Hello, all knowing, all seeing knowledge base!
My .32-40 #3 barrelled 1885 (1893 mfr) arrived with a cutaway in the forend just ahead of the receiver measuring about 3.135" long by .25" down which exposes a row of 5 holes drilled in the left side barrel flat (the one perpendicular to the top). The c-t-c distance between the 1st and 5th holes is about 2.625". The 3 holes between them are spaced somewhat irregularly. They appear to be drilled 1/8" to varying depths. The forward most hole is .125" deep, the next is .095", the middle hole (centered between forward and rear most) is .125", next is .075", and rearmost (nearest the receiver) is .125" deep.
I don't have a thread gauge, so no guesses there.
Two questions -
What did these holes serve?
Is my #3 octagon barrel materially weakened by them? I expect to shoot at pressures well below 40000 - am I going to be okay here?
I can't imagine a use for these holes, so I expect to plug them and cover up with a replacement forend.
Any ideas/help/speculation ?
Thanks.
PM
