Shotgun Barrel Input

[Bladesmith, SASS 113085]

I recently purchased a double barrel shotgun, 12ga, made by Aya Aguirre & Aranzabal probably in the 80’s. There are a couple spots on the underside of the barrels I’m curious about. It looks like maybe some lugs were removed? Though I’m not certain why. Anyone have a different take? Any concerns from a structural integrity point?
 

The areas in question are about 18” from the breech face and the barrels are approx. 27.5” overall. There’s no blemish on the interior of the barrels and in fact it looks to have been fired little, if ever. Appreciate any insight!

[Garrison Joe, SASS #60708]

Looks to me like heavy rust spots from where gun was stored touching something that could hold moisture.  Maybe a cloth pad on a gun rack.  Then owner  scrubbed most of the rust off, leaving bluing thinned out around the spot.  

 

Something like a front sling loop would have normally been soldered to the rib, not both barrels.  And desoldering a sling loop would not have left those pits.  That's my guess.

 

good luck, GJ

[Sedalia Dave]

Corrosion pitting. Likely that is where the barrels were resting on something that adsorbed moisture,

[Old Man Graybeard]

A friend of mine had that happen years ago. Guns were in a wooden gun cabinet that had felt glued on the barrel rests. It absorbed moisture (the felt) and rusted the barrels where they rested against the felt

[Bladesmith, SASS 113085]

Thanks all! That makes sense. I know it’s impossible to say without a close inspection, but does anyone have opinions on the impact on shoot-ability?
 

It’s far enough out that I could trim the barrels and turn it into a coach gun and still be at a legal length. It would either remove the questionable area or place it at the very end (I’d need to measure a little more closely). That’s not my preference since I didn’t actually pick this one up for CAS  but is an option if it’s a no-go in its current state.

[Rip Snorter]

I would not worry as long as I was using standard shells with light shot loads - no Buck  I would probably take the trouble to have a gunsmith confirm my opinion.

[Nostrum Damus SASS #110702]

A good smith can pressure test the barrels and tell you if it is good to go without real risk of blowing out those weakened spots.  My SWAG is that they're fine to shoot and enjoy.

Edited August 31 by Nostrum Damus SASS #110702

[Tom Bullweed]

Standard and light loads should shed most of their pressure by the time the shot makes it to 18".

I would measure the diameter at the area in question, shoot some 1200+ fps loads, measure the diameters again, and if the barrels showed no damage or expansion, shoot lighter loads with no concern.