Dave,
You'll get no arguement from me that big number ammunition was available back in the day. But, when I look at a Tobin like this, my Dad and Grandad come to mind. They wouldn't have bought a high grade Tobin, and, they wouldn't have bought one new.
But, due to circumstance, it is the kind of gun they would have bought. My Dad used 6s for most everything, and usually bought what was on sale at the Holiday gas station. He kept an eye on the prices when he filled the car with gas.
Grandpa used 8s for everything except ducks, and then he switched to 4s. He would have bought what was on sale, too.
I think a Tobin fed a steady diet of the highest pressure loads available, then, or now, is going to have a short life.
True, Tobins came into production in 1904, but I think the patent had been around a while. Even using today's steel, I doubt anyone would try to build a new version, now. There is a lot of metal removed off that block of action.
Drew, I had a Tobin the had barrels marked "Krupp". A friend still has it, it is the black pyro-oxidized model.
They are very interesting guns, but, my interests have just moved elsewhere.
Best,
Ted
