I looked at my NPM which is my house gun, it is a rebuild and it clearly shows where the sight has been off on the end of the barrel. Two distinct wide stripes across the finish. The Win doesn't have that. I have looked very closely at the photo that you guys are concerned with and it has been struck by something but not on an angle you would expect if trying to remove the thing. it is a glancing blow that hit the barrel a bit and hit on the edge of the metal, not the back. Remember this thing has been used as a camp rifle for decades and I never even thought to take better care of it. It has been dropped, banged around tossed etc. Until I found out what it might be. I'm getting a new camera stand, when I do I'll get the Winny down and take a much better look at it. I know is there isn't much if any of the scarring present on the NPM. I'm more excited about the Inland that is coming. The story of the Win and it's one non- Win part is pretty cool and makes a strong argument for not ever changing anything on these carbines.
Thanks Guys, Thanks Brian, Very much appreciate your help.