Yes, then you'd be counting on the compression on the top of the tenon to keep it tight, which may counteract the shrinking. Will the compressed fibers stiffen up, and lose their spring? Before the tenon is done shrinking? I don't know it that's calculable. But even if this results in a withdrawal of only 1/4", then all the bearing moves to the pegs anyway, and the dovetail stops helping. It's a cool joint, but I have my doubts about how well it works in practice. Of course there are historical examples where it worked well. I wonder if there are historical cases where it did not work so well, but no evidence was left behind :-) CB.
