Ken, you are right, I am sure. I didn't have much time to see the barn the other night ,and it was dark. Interupted plates sounds better. It is an interesting frame however. Apparently Richard Babcock thought so too, he tried persistantly to buy it.
My DanG camera batteries didn't charge properly, so I didn't get many pics.
Here is a shot that shows both of the bents that make up the center bay. It isn't as much of a close up as I'd like, but shows both sides of the passing braces.
Here is a closeup of the tie to post joint. There is a through mortise for the inerupted plates to attach.
There is one marriage mark for each bent. This bent uses a circle with a line
This one a semi-circle with line. I am guessing there would be marks under the siding as well?
Now, for another interesting detail. The bent on one side of the center bay has a center post. The bent on the other side, does not. The lower tie beam has been cut away, and supported by forged wrought iron. There is no mortise for a post either. You can see the post in the opposite bent. Strange. There is a hay hook, but it clears all of the tie beams easily, and would not have interferred with any of the original frame.
Dave