Oh yes, they do dodge responsibility. They're worse by going even further to attempt to protect the unknown Indian manufacturer. Funny that you have to actually read their site to make an accurate statement on this -
IMPORTANT NOTE TO OUR CUSTOMERS:
"The following note is made in lieu of all warranties, express or implied by the manufacturer.
Loyalist Arms and Repairs Ltd will not be held responsible for any loss or injury caused in any manner, either directly or indirectly from any product obtained from Loyalist Arms and Repairs Ltd. Neither seller nor manufacturer shall be liable for any injury, loss or damage, direct or consequential, arising from the use or misuse of any product, (including but not limited to guns, swords, etc.), sold by Loyalist Arms and Repairs Ltd. Before using, the user should determine the suitability of the circumstances under which the product is used; and the user assumes all risk and liability whatsoever in connection therewith............We recommend strongly that ALL muzzle loading arms, no matter who the manufacturer is, be proofed before regular use."
Whether they drill the hole or not, none of these Indian gun resellers are actually claiming to sell a fireable product. Save more and buy something from an actual and reputable manufacturer or wait for one on the used market.
I'd recommend actually reading the full section, and not just the self-highlighted portions. First, a company saying "you can't make a claim" does not mean that is legally binding. Did you sign a form agreeing to that before buying? I've seen thousands of forms people sign agreeing not to sue a place or company, and just about all are worthless. Even if they wrote, "Doing business with us is consent to the above stipulation", that won't fly.
Second, note
"We recommend strongly that ALL muzzle loading arms, no matter who the manufacturer is, be proofed before regular use." OK so they admit by that statement that they are selling muzzle loading arms. They send the buyer instructions on how to self-proof the gun that they sold, including a ball and a piece of fuse... so they blatantly admit, and worse they encourage, that the thing is meant to be fired.
And it's in no way equal to legal "proofing" of a black powder barrel, so ...,
OH and do you know what is likely to happen when you try to sue a "reputable" manufacturer of muzzle loading barrels lets say, here in the USA? You find out that they are out of business, and their assets only amount to several dozen barrels in various levels of completion. Their land, their building, their equipment, all are leased (coincidentally from an adult relative of the barrel company owner) , and the plaintiff barrel company has declared bankruptcy. OH and a few days later a company will appear, with a vary similar name, leasing the same facility and equipment, and hiring all of the previous workers, perhaps with a different President and Financial Officer. So
Loyalist Dave Barrel Company Inc. would be gone and the new company would be
L. Dave Barrel Company Inc., with a slightly different logo. Get sued again, and the next company would be
LD Barrels Inc. and so on and so on...., OH and the company you would find, is located in a state where it's very tough to sue the actual owner unless you can prove
gross negligence when the company assets don't satisfy the claim. Which is why there are no such companies here in Maryland, a very liberal lawsuit state. This business practice exists today, I'm told as a result of the Sharon Barrel Company which had some insurance and owned everything, and got sued, and died as a result.
LD