[blkbrd666]

There is a 20 gauge pump at a local shop missing the ventilating rib down the barrel. There is something left behind where the rib was attached...don't know if it is some sort of glue or weld. Does anyone have any idea how the rib would have been attached, whether a replacement could be found, etc.??? I was considering the gun for nostalgic reasons...it's otherwise in great condition and it's a mate to my Supermatic that I have had since I was a kid(my first shotgun)...just thought they would look good together in the cabinet...plus, the company doesn't exist anymore as far as I know.

[rcmodel]

If it was a factory rib, I imagine the posts were silver-soldered on. If an after-market rib, it was probably soft-soldered on, or more recently, glued with Black-Magic Locktight.

If it was soldered with either method, there would be no bluing left under it if you cleaned it off.
Glue? Hard to say until you clean it off.

rcmodel

[blkbrd666]

I checked my Supermatic and the rib is a phosphated black steel or anodized blasted aluminum...can't tell as there are no places where the finish is disturbed. The barrel is blued. I can't see any welds between the pieces and no screws holding it on...it's a mystery. I may just have to buy the gun and find out...just hate to blow 90 bucks on something I can't fix.

[rcmodel]

Well, check the rib with a magnet.

If it sticks, it's steel & probably soldered on.

If it doesn't stick, it's aluminum, and probably glued on with something.

The only puzzle is, what they might have glued it with.
There weren't near as many space-age adhesives they could have used back then.

rcmodel

[Bailey Boat]

It should only be attached at a couple of points, not the entire length. A decent smith could replace it without much hassle, price could be an issue though......

[Big Az Al]

Poly choke sold a glue on aluminum Rib, it came with a black rub adhesive.

I have not checked the last couple of years but brownells had sold the Kit