H&R auto eject .38 oddity??

Just got hold of a H&R auto eject rev. mkd. Auto Ejecting .38 S&W Ctge. on left of bbl. Last pat. is '96 so likely 5th var. Odd thing is, it has a 2" (yes, two inch) bbl. and the Harrington is totally missing, just Richardson Arms Company Worchester Mass., only last two pat. dates readable, front sight mounted between Richardson and earlier pat. dates! It looks as it has been cut down, however; front of bbl. sight ramp and sight installation look 100% factory! Must have been reblued, bluing rich and dark unfortunately marred by rust spots. Did H&R ever custom shorten bbls. or redo guns for customers? If it was shortened, it is a perfect job!