Guns were and are made to be used - some harder than others given their original grade - workhorses v thoroughbreds.
This one's been used by a lot of people over a long time. They weren't precious about it, and weren't worried about what collectors would think a century later.
It hasn't been tarted up by a butcher to be something it never was.
In the hands of someone who knew what they were doing it could yet be renovated sympathetically and given a few more decades of use.
It's a pleasure to take a grand old gun afield and not be scared to get it wet, dirty or a get a few more dings in use.
What's the problem?
Perhaps that's why I resist calling myself a collector; rather, an enthusiast.
RG
