I think plan in the last line will work too. I sent out an email to the owner who's a bit private yesterday. Now I'm chomping at the bit for a reply. Horses are mysterious to me; neat that you have a knowledge of them.
And it's great that you've been looking for these CG barns in your area. I'm starting to respect the little details about them. It seems like it has some distinct advantages over plate construction.
In regard to your question whether the sawn frame is scribed, I doubt it. That one was built in the 1880s. (Do you know when scribing ended as a common practice?)
What's funny though is that everything in that frame is sawn, execpt for the purlins...and only the purlins. They're all hand hewn. Why?
This stuff is great fun. Looking forward to meeting you down here in one of these barns soon.
