Don P. i think you got it in the last paragraph. This is a historic building, am I right Heath? If so here is historic proof of this being done. The done part is the Horizontal Trussed Girder. It's like using a 8"deep by 30" wide plate to resist thrust. This is my suspicion. I like the card test.
As for the studs in the gable ends, if you removed them the wall would not move out the rafter may sag a bit(compression) but the wall will stay put, it has a tie. The middle bent has no tie to speak of other than the theoretical HTG. This building is not all that wide. Heath how wide and long is this building and number of bents? I am wondering if you noticed any bow in the wall at the eve line before you rebuilt it? Did you completely disassemble it, and move it to a new location? Is there a bow now? Tim
