Gifted a nice SXS

[Liver eatin’ Johnson]

My friend gave me a belated Christmas/retirement gift yesterday. It has been in the back of his gun safe for many years. Here are some pics of it which include a borescope inspection. At first sight it looked very shootable but after scoping it I've changed my mind. Being twist steel, there are some suspicious spots at the breach and about half way up - more so in one side than the other. See if you agree...

 

[ord sgt]

Load it up, strap it to a tree stump, tie a string to the trigger and stand way back. If it survives, clean it real good, then put it in the back of your safe.

 

[deermanok]

Kinda looks like a hairline crack in that one picture. Too bad, nice looking shotgun otherwise.

 

[William Lincoln]

Send that gun to a top barrel smith. It might be
salvageable/reline-able etc. He will inspect the
structural integrity of the frame lock up and
consider your various options. You might have
a shooter after all.

 

[THBailey]

Sweet looking gun, but got to agree the barrel as-is is not a one I would try to shoot. It will sure look purty up on the wall though.

 

[Historian]

Send it to a good barrel gunsmith and let them decide. You may be able to use it but with lite loads. Never hurts to ask.

 

[ohio ramrod]

I would have it examined by someone who is knowledgeable in barrels before either testing it or giving up on it.My boy has a Bavairan leader made in the 1880's that looks rough in the bores but shoots well. I had to make a new spring for the one lock, gee you would have thought the origional spring would have lasted longer than that!

 

[smoothshooter]

My friend gave me a belated Christmas/retirement gift yesterday. It has been in the back of his gun safe for many years. Here are some pics of it which include a borescope inspection. At first sight it looked very shootable but after scoping it I've changed my mind. Being twist steel, there are some suspicious spots at the breach and about half way up - more so in one side than the other. See if you agree...

Send it to Bobby Hoyt in PA for a re-line. Looks like way too nice of an old gun not to shoot.

 

[Phil Coffins]

Nice looking old scatter gun, wouldn’t be near as nice blown up.

 

[bud in pa]

I agree with sending it to Bob Hoyt.

 

[Liver eatin’ Johnson]

Send it to Bobby Hoyt in PA for a re-line. Looks like way too nice of an old gun not to shoot.

wonder what that would cost...?

 

[Skychief]

Gorgeous double. I'd have it sleeved then shoot the snot out of it.

 

[SDSmlf]

wonder what that would cost...?

Last I heard Mr. Hoyt’s price to reline a rifled barrel was around $200. Have no personal knowledge what he charges to reline a double smoothbore. Why not just call him? His number is (717) 642-6696. And he is a landline guy as far as know. No internet or website. Call early in the morning and let it ring. His old school machines are noisy. No answer, leave a message.

 

[smoothshooter]

wonder what that would cost...?

I would guess less than $500. Much less than a new Pedersoli and probably better workmanship.
You can call and ask him for a rough idea, barring complications, like broken solder on the ribs, etc.
He actually works too cheap, and I have told him so.

 

[Britsmoothy]

I would just shoot it and not care a jot about it.
Do the barrels ring when tapped ?

 

[Feltwad]

Just go steady best to strap it down and work up a load starting with a light one .
Feltwad

 

[Capnball]

Bobby Hoyt! Nuff said!
If he says "no go!" It's still a beautiful wall hanger. Nice gift!

 

[johnraleksa]

I would just shoot it and not care a jot about it.
Do the barrels ring when tapped ?

yes try something simple first take barrel off stock tie a string and hang then tap it with a hammer. if sound like a bell then try shooting lite load while standing way back with a string. if it didn't ring like a bell don't shoot.

 

[Liver eatin’ Johnson]

Yup - they ring like a bell for sure

 

[toot]

yup. reline it. it is a beauty.