Dnovo,

I like to freinds with rifles too. (Smiley here but don't know how to do it.)

Like you, I claim no expertise in forensic rifle examination. My thoughts are, in order of them "coming to me:"

1.) The bushed pins are sunk way to far into the breech. Re-done? Problem with the originals? Why? Crappy original work?

2.) Overload that made the case head mark on the right side of the standing breech? Immeadiately followed by - No, brass is way softer than steel. Followed by - but a too large chamber may allow flame errosion over time, and its the right barrel, ussually fired more often. This would indicate a low pressure round or load since the brass doesn't expand to seal the chamber and a way to generous chamber. And lots of firing!

3.) On the crack or weld or scratch, just don't know. But if it is a weld, then 1.) a really good certified welder will know if its a weld, 2.) measuring the flats on both sides, looking for a difference, might show that the right side is larger than the left and be evidence of a welded crack. A good weld cannot be made with flush surfaces, btw, so a gap, which will make that protion of the flats wider than original, or which will have been created by a grinder to make good welding possible will leave evidence. But a good weld can make surfaces flush (after grinding the weld bead down.) Checking for a bead under the crack would be wise. I believe that that portion of the action should allow access to the bottom of the crack, if any, to feel if the crack or weld went all the way through.

Thia is a sidelock and probably an expensive rifle - if it were OK. I would pass on principal because at best the description is a problem.

Of course I'm shooting in the dark.

JPK