doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com Opinions on a thin-barrelled H&H

Last year, I bought an old (1880's) damascus barrel H&H in London with fresh 2007 re-proof for 2 3/4" shells. Got it home, the novelty wore off, and I decided to sell it.

A potential buyer has it checked by a respected doublegun smith, who reports there is a spot at about 12" from breech where the wall thickness only measures .016". Yikes!

Now, I don't know what to do. Obviously, I can't ethically sell it to someone without disclosing the wall thickness. Should I sell it as-is and take the hit on the wall thickness, assuming anyone's interested at all? Or send it off to be lined by Teague? Or keep it, assume the boys at the Proof House in London know what they're doing, and shoot it until either it or I (or both, simultaneously, no doubt) bite it?

I'm interested to hear the opinions of the august members of this board. What do you think?

The proof house being a one time thing would not give me the warm and fussies to go out and continue shooting with that wall thickness. I think that you have to do the math and see what makes the most sence. Or you might want to think of something like something like drop in tubes or something like that if you don't like the looks or costs of the lining.

Sorry I don't know what an august member is but after all that typing, I just can't delete it.

Not sure who the "august members" are but here's my two sents.

You'd take a big hit from me because It's thinner than I would buy because of the dent factor alone.
I would assume the boys at the proof house know what they're doing when proofing for pressure.

Take a dial caliper and look at .016....12 inches from the breach sounds scary.

First thing I'd do would be to have another "respected doublegun smith" measure the wall thickness.

If he came up with the same .016 12 inches from the breech my second step would be....to do alittle research and find out if I was sold a "fake reproof".
The English proof houses should have records of the "2007 reproof".

If you were sold a fake reproofed gun in London I'm sure the seller would gladly refund your money rather than face the harsh penalties of the Proof house laws.

"cheapskate",
I'd check wall thickness again to be sure, but if there is a spot that thin I'd be nervous. You should consider whether or not it's important to you to have enough fingers to order 10 beers at one time. If the gun is worth the expense, Teague liners are the best thing you could do to preserve it and shoot it safely.

guess i'm a September member?????
anyway........i'd have it re-measured first. If it truly is 16 no way i'd shoot that. Just get your calipers and dial it to 16 and take a eyeball look for yourself. Not too thick as you will see.

I think you should have it remeasured. It is unlikely that the wall thickness has diminished since it was proofed. I have measure bbls in the past and found my measurements to be wrong when remeasured.
If you still have the problem after remeasuring, just disclose it.

You don't think he could've been sold a gun with a fake English reproof ?

It stood it's ground at the proof house - thats all that counts with them and they don't have x-ray eyes. I'd have another 'smith measure it before you jump thru more hoops.

I agree with Joe. Maybe the dealer got rid of it to you when he recognized your accent and realized it would leave the country and that would put an end to his problem. Follow up on Joe's advice.

How nice is it? What kind of condition? Any pics?

Is it worth Teaguing?

Teaguing is real expensive, especially now.

And are you certain the buyer is telling the truth?

OWD