Draw lines (Witness marks)

[saxman]

Why is it that headspace is not mentioned in this elaborate theory? IMO it is not likely that witness marks would be placed before barrel installation and headspacing. It is a simple fact that if you take three barrels with witness marks and install them one after another into a given frame, with a given torque value, the witness marks are going to miss the mark on the frame just as often as they hit it. This critical assembly would not be left to the chance of the marks lining up when the proper torque was reached, coincidental to the headspace being also correct at that precise point. I believe it is much more likely that the front sight and extractor cuts were made after barrel fitting, gauging, numbering and witness-marking.