I'll agree with Ted here. What would we prove by loading a 19th century percussion gun with a hefty charge of Bullseye? And, even if it did survive, how can we be sure it hasn't exceeded the elastic limits of its' barrel or action so that the next normal load doesn't finish it off? I think a gun that was seriously off face would be much more likely to have a case failure than a breakages of the frame. I'd want to throat-punch the MF'er who signed that failure tag.
We have some old wooden covered bridges in my area that are still in use. We don't test them by driving heavily loaded tractor-trailers over them to prove them. We instead post and enforce sensible weight limits for them so we can continue to enjoy them.
