I was cleaning and checking things on my recently-acquired SX1, and found a small electro-stencil under the barrel just ahead of the lug that says "CAI, Georgia, VT Made in USA" and "Winchester Super X Model 1 12G"

Anyone have any idea what that's about? It also has the appropriate engraving on the upper left saying it was made in New Haven, CT, Winchester proof steel, etc.

The crumbs of the buffer came out when I dropped the trigger group, but otherwise everything looks very clean. The forend doesn't even have carbon in it.

Thanks

Maybe a gunsmith who modified the original choke?

This is not an after market. CAI is a gun importer. In the 1970's Winchester opened many gun clubs around the U.S. and overseas. When Winchester closed the clubs the shotguns and rifles where sold off. Model 12's and sx-1's where not popular in europe. CAI probably got them cheep and imported them. The mark you see is the import mark required by the 1968 gun legislation. When I was in europe I bought several guns. I still have them and I still have the importation paper work showing I self imported them. If I sell them I will have to provide the original paper work.

Thanks. I knew of CAI for importing surplus rifles from various places, but didn't realize they repatriated guns as well. But that makes sense.