tentman

Quite a few guns exist (English guns) that were serial numbered earlier than the cartridge they were chambered for
or the style or gun they are was actually available.

Have seen it when checking up on DR's more than bolts
but it did seem to occur.

The war also stuffed things up in terms of guns ordered before the war, not made or partially made when the war
broke out and / or not collected so made into something
else.