So..you want to shoot Grandpa's shotgun? LOOK HERE..

[targa911S]

Originally Posted by notmytarga

I am no weapons expert (other than trying to explain to my 8 year old son that ninja's don't haul around an arsenal with them - on Halloween) BUT, Lordy that barrel steel looks awfully thin - like sheet metal. Looks to be less than 1/16 or 1/32" - I would expect 1/8" from the few shotguns I've used. Even so, what are the chances that the barrel on this gun was obstructed?

1/8" full lenght barrels? I don't think so. The gun would weigh a ton. Maybe at the breaches but they thin out fast. On old shotguns there is a chance they have been honed inside to polish out a dent or clean them up inside. Obviously when you do that they get a little thinner.

Yes I would say that the barrel pictured would have been obstructed somehow, but even snow or mud accidently trapped in the muzzle can blow a barrel.

[targa911S]

Originally Posted by herr_oberst

Someone once gave me a cheap, made-in-brazil, single-shot for home defense.

Bad idea on so many levels.

Turned it in to the cops during one of those don't ask don't tell deals.

I'm REALLY glad I did. This is exactly one of the things that worried me about that 'weapon'.

You probably got more than it was worth from the cops.

[tabs]

That B looks like steel and not Damacus???? What kind of Steel?
What is the SN on that Elsie...it looks to be a Field Grade...but it could be an earlier pre 13 spoon.
Gauge 12?
What were the circumstances on its blowing?

You just had to know you were not going to get out of Dodge without giving our enquiring minds the low down on details...

If the Receiver is absolutley plain without any engraving it is a 00 Grade...betcha it is either that or a 0 Grade from pre 13.

[targa911S]

Tabs you ask too many questions. I picked this up from a post on the DGJ site. I don't know details on the gun itself.

[RPKESQ]

Proof and Proofing (this applies to Countries that Proof firearms)

This is the action of measuring a particular firearm to see if it meets the Proof House specifications of gauge (or bore), chamber, barrel wall thickness, lock up, joining of barrels (if multiple barrels), etc. for a particular load specified by the manufacturer. That is for example if Beretta says this gun was built for a 12 bore, 3.5" magnum load of a maximum of 2 ounces of load, the proof House will test for that.

Then a proof load which consists of a deliberate overload (depending on bore or chambering) that is some multiple of Proof House standard loads. Often it is 1.5 or 1.75 greater than the highest tested load for than chamber or bore.

Full inspection afterwards with measurements repeated. They must not change in order to pass. No deformation of any type is allowed.

These tests are done" in the white" or unfinished state, since any failure would result in a total loss of at least the barrels, this minimizes the cost to the manufacture.

Proofing is required after any modification to the chamber or barrel thickness. It is illegal to sell any gun for use that is "out" of Proof.




Damascus Barrels.

There is nothing wrong with Damascus barrels per say. Many Damascus barrels that are 100 years old or older are in daily use in throughout Europe and the UK. Damascus makes a perfectly strong barrel if made well and maintained well.

With any multiple barrel (SxS or O/U) the barrels are joined usually by a "rib". Without a Proof House (reproofing), this means you cannot easily measure or examine the barrel thickness or corrosion between the barrels. A complete disassembly of the barrels (remove/ de-solder ribs) is required to measure and inspect. This is expensive.

With a Proof House, you do an inspection and measuring chamber and bore, compare them to the Proof Marks on the barrel and if required submit it for reproof. If it passes, then it is quite safe for use. Without a Proof House you are exploring the unknown.

America is the only industrial nation without a Proof House. That is one of the main reasons America has never built a true High Grade shotgun. In order to be safe, American shotguns have always been built much heavier than required. This has meant that balance has always been off. A sweet 12 bore Game gun fit to you for 1 oz. of shot and weighing 6 lbs. 3 oz. with 28 in barrels must be experienced to be appreciated. It is alive.

In my opinion, the shotgun pictured in this thread was damaged from an overcharge. It was not caused by an obstruction.

[targa911S]

Thank you for explaining this. I was counting on you.

[tabs]

An Overcharge of factory or home loaded ammo?

[RPKESQ]

Originally Posted by tabs

An Overcharge of factory or home loaded ammo?

Either one will do it. Often it is the modern shotcup that is the straw that breaks the camels back. Modern shotcup/wads contain the pressue far more than the older styles of wads.

[targa911S]

Ammunition in those days was around 7,000 psi. Todays ammunition is around 21,000 psi. Technically the same as a proof load in the old days.

[tabs]

This weekend I got a call from a guy out at the Trap & Skeet Range who wanted to buy my Cowboy Shooting Cart...said he'd take it on the phone...said he'd be in a CL....Got out there and it is a 2010 CL 600 wt AZ plates... get out of da car and is all dressed in black cowboy like.ask him what is he shootin....a Purdy.....that got my attention...said he sold off a bunch of his H&H Double rifles through GM auctions..Since he couldn't load the thing in his CL, asked me if I would deliver it for an extra 20, said sure...Follow him home, to a 10,000 sq home in a Guard Gate communtity, and in the geeerage is a MB SUV, and a new Turboooo Porsche...hmmpt... turns out the guy is a somebody

On my little Cowboy Cart purchases a 200% profit was made on invested capital...

[targa911S]

And that has what to do with a conversation on proofing? LOL.

[tabs]

Originally Posted by targa911S

And that has what to do with a conversation on proofing? LOL.

RPK said Brit spoons are proffed and that brought Purdys to mind....and TABS's excellent adventure.

[targa911S]

LoL I was just bustin ya..... I get it. What is proffed? Do they go to a proofessor?

[tabs]

All Frenchys are POOFS....

[GWN7]

Store I used to call on up North had a collection of what the current owner called "Elmer Fudd Guns". The store was started by the owners grandfather. They had a dozen or so splits and curls in their collection

[azasadny]

Originally Posted by bell

do i need to worry about my british.303? it was made in the late 30' s early 40' s iirc......I've been using modern.303 ammo and surplus in it..........

I reload for a friend who has a Lee Enfield in the venerable .303 British and I always load to spec and he's been shooting my reloads in his rifle for several years with no problems. If you are in doubt, take your rifle to a good local gunsmith and have them check it out for you.