diff --git a/cmd/fmsgd/sender.go b/cmd/fmsgd/sender.go
index 579d6e4..83cb111 100644
--- a/cmd/fmsgd/sender.go
+++ b/cmd/fmsgd/sender.go
@@ -451,14 +451,29 @@ func deliverMessage(target pendingTarget) {
 		rtx.Rollback()
 		return
 	}
-	sharedHash, err := m.sharedHash()
-	if err != nil {
-		log.Printf("ERROR: sender: computing message hash for msg %d: %s", target.MsgID, err)
-		rtx.Rollback()
-		return
-	}
 	rtx.Rollback()
 
+	// Compress the shared payload once; every unit header reuses it. Deflate
+	// must be applied BEFORE the shared hash is computed: the message hash
+	// covers the header fields exactly as transmitted (SPEC "Message hash"),
+	// and applyTo changes flags, size and expanded size. Hashing the
+	// undeflated form recorded a sha256 the receiving host never computes,
+	// so cross-host replies bounced with code 6 (parent not found).
+	d := computeDeflate(m, target.MsgID)
+	defer d.removeTempFiles()
+
+	orig := m.originalHeader()
+	d.applyTo(orig)
+
+	sharedHash := m.storedHash
+	if len(sharedHash) == 0 {
+		sharedHash, err = orig.GetMessageHash()
+		if err != nil {
+			log.Printf("ERROR: sender: computing message hash for msg %d: %s", target.MsgID, err)
+			return
+		}
+	}
+
 	// Persist the shared hash (so replies/add-to referencing this message
 	// resolve) and link any pending children — once for the whole message.
 	if err := ensureSharedHash(db, target.MsgID, sharedHash); err != nil {
@@ -466,13 +481,7 @@ func deliverMessage(target pendingTarget) {
 		return
 	}
 
-	// Compress the shared payload once; every unit header reuses it.
-	d := computeDeflate(m, target.MsgID)
-	defer d.removeTempFiles()
-
 	// Deliver the original message to its pending msg_to recipients.
-	orig := m.originalHeader()
-	d.applyTo(orig)
 	deliverUnit(db, target, orig, "msg_to", 0)
 
 	// Deliver each add-to batch as its own add-to message (one sender each).
diff --git a/cmd/fmsgd/sender_hash_test.go b/cmd/fmsgd/sender_hash_test.go
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..caeb476
--- /dev/null
+++ b/cmd/fmsgd/sender_hash_test.go
@@ -0,0 +1,67 @@
+package main
+
+import (
+	"bytes"
+	"os"
+	"path/filepath"
+	"strings"
+	"testing"
+)
+
+// TestSharedHashUsesTransmittedForm guards the ordering fixed in the sender:
+// the shared hash must be computed over the header exactly as transmitted
+// (SPEC "Message hash"). computeDeflate/applyTo change flags, size and
+// expanded size, so hashing before deflate records a sha256 the receiving
+// host never computes — cross-host replies then bounce with code 6.
+func TestSharedHashUsesTransmittedForm(t *testing.T) {
+	dir := t.TempDir()
+	body := strings.Repeat("compressible markdown body — the quick brown fox. ", 200)
+	bodyPath := filepath.Join(dir, "data.md")
+	if err := os.WriteFile(bodyPath, []byte(body), 0o600); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+
+	m := &msgFields{
+		version:  1,
+		size:     len(body),
+		from:     FMsgAddress{User: "alice", Domain: "example.com"},
+		to:       []FMsgAddress{{User: "bob", Domain: "example.org"}},
+		timeSent: 1754280000,
+		topic:    "hash form",
+		typ:      "text/markdown",
+		filepath: bodyPath,
+	}
+
+	undeflated, err := m.originalHeader().GetMessageHash()
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+
+	d := computeDeflate(m, 1)
+	defer d.removeTempFiles()
+	wire := m.originalHeader()
+	d.applyTo(wire)
+	if wire.Flags&FlagDeflate == 0 {
+		t.Fatal("test body should have deflated — deflate heuristics changed?")
+	}
+	transmitted, err := wire.GetMessageHash()
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+
+	if bytes.Equal(undeflated, transmitted) {
+		t.Fatal("forms hash identically; this regression test no longer exercises the trap")
+	}
+
+	// The receiving host recomputes the hash from the wire form it stored —
+	// the sender's recorded shared hash must be that same transmitted form.
+	receiver := m.originalHeader()
+	d.applyTo(receiver)
+	got, err := receiver.GetMessageHash()
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	if !bytes.Equal(got, transmitted) {
+		t.Fatal("transmitted-form hash not reproducible")
+	}
+}
diff --git a/cmd/fmsgd/store.go b/cmd/fmsgd/store.go
index d7bc19e..e402af0 100644
--- a/cmd/fmsgd/store.go
+++ b/cmd/fmsgd/store.go
@@ -756,9 +756,11 @@ func (m *msgFields) originalHeader() *FMsgHeader {
 }
 
 // sharedHash returns the canonical hash identifying this message: its persisted
-// sha256, or — when not yet persisted (e.g. local-only delivery) — its
-// original-form message hash. Add-to batches reference this value as their pid
-// (SPEC §12).
+// sha256 (computed at first outbound delivery over the header exactly as
+// transmitted — deflated form; see the sender), or — when not yet persisted
+// (e.g. local-only delivery, where nothing external can reference it) — its
+// undeflated original-form hash as a local fallback. Add-to batches reference
+// this value as their pid (SPEC §12).
 func (m *msgFields) sharedHash() ([]byte, error) {
 	if len(m.storedHash) > 0 {
 		return m.storedHash, nil