Heres the details of the $10,000 Lindner Diamond Grade gun from G & H.
I admired that piece online for months before picking it up. I finally decided to look at in person and arrived at the G & H shop one Saturday morning. I looked down the barrels and noticed gunpowder residue - the salesman (who no longer works there) confirmed the gun had been fired. I trusted their reputation and bought it without concern (I held a 138,000.00 Beruzzi 28 gauge in my arms while the paperwork was processed - sigh). I spoke of using only low pressure shells deisgned for vintage guns such as those from RST (my favorite) or Polywad given the century old age of the piece. He agreed with my ammo choices and added that G & H was close to buying out RST years ago but the deal fell through somehow. I cleaned the bores that afternoon. At that point I noticed the small pits halfway down the barrels. I called G & H regarding the matter and they were happy to remove them no charge of course. The sales rep actually drove up from Greenwich en route to Rhode Island to meet me outside my office in Middletown. He asked if I still wanted the gun. If its OK to use I replied. He took it back to have the barrels checked and polished by their gunsmith. He placed it in my hands personally several days later. I asked how much metal was lost not much - more from the right barrel but within limits. He was sorry he didnt have the barrel measurements I requested earlier with him but he assured me that the barrels were safe with RST Lite 2 ½ low pressure shells. A month later with over two hundred [RST 1 oz. 6800 PSI] thrilling shots fired at the skeet range l noticed the left ejector didnt lay completely flat against the barrel on close and was worried about possible wear on the breech face. On the phone G & H said the gunsmith went over the gun and there was nothing wrong with it. It still bothered me so a couple of weeks later I dropped it off at Orvis in Manchester, VT to have them look at it. Their gunsmith stated the lug/loop was loose. Repair meant the ribs needed to be relayed including the necessary barrel re-bluing. I requested barrel measurements while they were at it. After several months (it missed my annual grouse hunt in Ontario - the main reason for purchase) I received a call from Orvis's gunsmith telling me that the gun was ready. I inquired about using RST shells safely affirmative. The gun arrived two days later with invoice but without barrel measurements. Frustrated, I shipped it over to Doug Turnbull the next day for inspection, cleaning and oil including cleaning up/timing screws, and some cosmetic work on the splinter horn tip (I planned to have all that done the next year anyway). After waiting several more months I was notified by email that the "Daly" project at long last was completed. However, a second message followed minutes later with the disturbing news about the right barrel wall at .018. I was crushed. Turnbulls Shop Supervisor took the time to assure this frantic gun owner over three subsequent phone calls that my gun was safe with RST ammo. The last email he sent to me answered my question regarding the three Lite loads offered by RST stating Any of those will be fine and safe to shoot. Turnbull didnt disappoint the gun looked as if new!
My long story brings up an interesting question that really bugs me...unless theres a conspiracy why would three premier, world renowned gun shops all agree (the last in writing) RST 2 ½ low pressure rounds are safe to use in this gun?
I'll get G & H to measure the barrels at their Greenwich location or I can take it to Abe Chaber in Danbury, CT. Hes held in high regard for his gunsmithing and expertise on bespoke vintage German double guns especially those made by Lindner.
