A look down the bore shows it both smooth and bright and what I believe was the source of my confusion. Near as I can tell, it's a 2-groove Springfield(?) barrel. What was confusing me was the uber-wide grooves and lands.

I shot a dozen or so of the Hornady bullets off-hand (no rest that day--dull story) and it looks like it ought to shoot. The forearm is held on by a very loose cross pin so I expect that doesn't help. The original cool Martini rear sight has been mounted along with a more modern ramp front. Not sure how the issue sights looked but boy! have we got some daylight around the front.

If it shows promise, some new wood will probably be in the plan. If it doesn't work out, rebarreling isn't out of the question....and then new wood.

I've seen a couple of those little 'pocket doubles' advertised...I think .22 Hornet and a .357. Very, very cool shooters but waaaay out of the realm of affordability for me.

Mine is the original chamber, so I cast the proper bullet and size to .319" and it shoots fairly well.

Always thought one rechambered to .357 would be the ultimate deadly pool cue.

I knew a guy who had a Holland and Holland double rifle, originally chambered in 300 Rook, but at some point was redone to 357 Mag. It was just the coolest thing. A little out of my price range. Of course he had some Austrian doubles that I wouldn't shoot, despite his many offers. My fear was in recoil I would drop them on the concrete range floor and I'd have to sell my house to pay for it. No joke… the one time I asked "And what's this one go for?" He said "About two sixty."

Thanks for posting that!