Hank, it's my fault for coming across heavy handed. I figured welding would show as heat affect on the outside finish. I think that could end up with significant refinishing expense or an inexperienced hand giving it a try.
The firing pin comment was just a thought. We've seen here how difficult it is to stumble into pins that fit. I was just thinking that if someone takes the effort and expense have a new set made and fitted, they would easily be capable of assessing or getting help assessing the rest of the gun.
All I was thinking overall was that if I had a chance to hold my great grandfather's gun, I'd be trying to figure out if one of my grandsons could be a good keeper of it. Future generations are going to have to look things over and make decisions. If, and I have no idea, sleeving could fix this one, I would have it done in a heartbeat. I remember meeting one of my great grandfathers nearly fifty years ago only once when he was in his mid nineties. He was willing to chat, I was pretty young and didn't let it happen. I know his guns were long gone by then.
I really don't mind if you folks weld the chambers unusable, just explaining my thoughts.
