New to me SxS

[Sharab85]

Hello,

I just recently picked up the SxS for fairly cheep recently, I am not familiar at all with this style of muzzleloader.

My first hope would be to get it back to shooting condition but if that is not possible I would be happy to make it a wall hanger.

Here are the list of problems I have found so far: whole shotgun looks to have a even light pitting to it, it looks like it has been sandblasted recently.
The locks need some work week mainspring and not holding on half cock on one side. the barrel wedge is in very loose and can just fall out if you tilt gun on side. The inside of the barrels do not look that bad really and should hopefully clean up and the nipples come out easily.

Here are the pictures, let me know what you think.

 

[Curt LaManna]

I'm sorry to say, but you have a nice decorator to hang over your fireplace or Hunting/Gun room.
From the pics and your description, it's no way safe to shoot and in my educated opinion, not worth the costs to repair, if it's even possible.
I'm sincerely sorry to give you the bad news...

 

[Sharab85]

Well I was afraid of that, but at least that is the easier of the options just hang it on a wall lol.

 

[Sharab85]

I am curious, how do you determine if a old muzzle-loader is salvageable for returning to shooting condion? Do you have things you look for when you are shopping? Just curious so when and if I decide to look for another one what I should look for.

Thanks,

Shawn

 

[robinghewitt]

It looks to me like someone has cleaned the rust off the out side with a rotary wire brush and sawn the muzzle off where it was getting a bit thin. The nipples have not been hammered flat, look at the dents inside the hammer noses to see if they ever were.

You will always get 4 opinions...

Shoot it
Have it checked and Magna-fluxed
Sleeve it
Wall hanger

Which one you choose is very much up to you. Option 5 is tie string around the trigger, fire it remotely, check for damage :idunno:

 

[Sharab85]

There is a gap between the barrel and the tang is it supposed to be like that or should it be a tighter fit? Also you can see in the fourth pic that the stock does not seem to line up wit the center of the barrel, that seems weird to me everything is tight when locked together though no wiggle.

 

[garra]

I have a SxS that looks really close to that shotgun. See if you find any proof marks on the underside of the barrel, looks like a Belgium gun to me. To check if you have Damascus barrel, on the underside of the barrel rub in some white vinegar, if you see lines like wrapped around the barrel appear then it is Damascus. Mine is functional in pretty good condition, but the barrels have quite a few questionable pits in them. I had a gunsmith check mine with a bore scope, I just have to get the courage to TEST fire it.

It's a great wall hanger, looks really good up there.