You're correct Dave, the J barrel was commerically used for many years after the S bullet appeared. I'm becoming more and more convinced that the 8.2 marking on DBEAR1's rifle represents August 1902. I say that because his gun has neither the Blachen proof load stamping (required some time after DBEAR1's gun was proofed, but discontinued in 1912; or the caliber designation (ie. 8mm/57) which was started in 1912. I've never been able to determine just when the Blachen load marking was 1st required, but the 8.2 is the only marking left unaccounted for and the month/year stamp WAS in fact required at the time that gun was proofed (@ the time the gauge standard was used) . Therefore I think it reasonable to believe that 8.2 means August 1902. Moreover, and until a gunsmith determines otherwise, the safe thing to do would be to consider it a J barrel.