Hi Guys,

A friend of mine has an 1886 he is wondering about. He showed me, and I was of no help. Figured someone here may know.
Ok, he asked me to letter an 1886 for him. It lettered as an 1886 rifle in caliber 40-82 with octagon barrel, serial number 127,30X. Date in March 10, 1903, date out March 16, 1903. Nothing else in letter except an order number and plain trigger. Now, the fellows gun is a 40-82, but with a round barrel. So we were trying to figure out if the barrel was swapped, if it was a ledger error, etc. I was asking him about barrel markings, and he said there are no proofs on the barrel, but that the barrel is stamped "2323" on top of the barrel near the breach. That is odd. Here is a photo. Any idea what this marking is??
[Image Can Not Be Found]
Here are the barrel markings other than that:

MANUFACTURED BY THE
– WINCHESTER REPEATING ARMS CO. NEW
HAVEN. CONN. U.S.A. –

Calibre marking is: 40-82 WCF

Any ideas would be appreciated.
Matt