There were short barreled octagon rifles made, but there's also rifles that were cut down by owners.
It's my experience that most that exist were cut down rather than factory, especially if it's rough/well used. But the only way to be SURE is to pay $75 to the Center of the West museum for a factory letter. If it's a family heirloom that might be of interest, because if nothing else it will tell you where it originally shipped to in 1899.
Who here owns a short octagon barrel on a 99 that lettered? Not saying no one does, I'd just love to see pictures of one. I can't believe they weren't a standard offering.
