Have now separated the metal and stock completely and I'm beginning to think these barrels may have lost their stock & locks many, many years ago. The locks it came with are obviously of inferior quality to what Abbey seems to have produced and are not marked.
I'm guessing that at some point long ago, someone decided they wanted a shotgun and had these barrels replaced. The plugs have obviously been out several times, one nipple hole is larger etc.
Or would Abbey have provided rifle and shotgun barrels for a single stock & locks, and this set of barrels somehow got separated or the gun was lost and only these remained?
The bores are about .405, but there is still too much fouling for any accuracy in measurement.
The barrels weigh 9 lbs 4oz alone.
Nipples are out and the barrels soaking in penetrant prior removing the plugs and determining what the state of the bores really is. The lugs on the breech plugs are ovoid enough that a wrench is likely not going to work. Will probably place a large six point socket over each one and pour in lead or babbit between the lug and the inside wall of the socket, after heating the breech enough to drive the moisture out of the steel in that area.
Last edited by Old Glass; 11/03/11 06:27 PM.
