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Hi folks, I'm looking for a little advice on an old 10 bore I found in my late grandfather's loft, It's a G E Lewis single barrel 10 bore with Jones underlever, I had it put on my licence when it was found and shortly afterwards to it to a local gunsmiths to have it checked over. Now he took one look at it and said you mustent shoot it under any circumstances as it's only proofed for black powder and not nitro proofed. He said it would probably cost around £1500 to have it prepared for proofing and proofed and in his opinion the gun was just not worth it. He also told me as the gun was out of proof I could not sell or gift it. Now at the time I did not think to ask if it could still be fired with black powder as it was proofed for black powder, I realise a lot depends on the gun, but the barrels seem in reasonable condition and it has a good tight lock up, any help and advice would be appreciated
.... Andy

He didn't offer to "dispose of it" or offer you a small sum of money for it?

I'd take it to another dealer for a second opinion.

Mark

Welcome to the forum Andy. Get a second opinion and if all else fails get it proofed for BP and enjoy it for what is is,a lovely single barrel BP 10 bore. In proof they are quite collectable and command good prices.

Pictures would be good!

Is there any pitting in the barrel at all?

If it's already proofed unless it needs work to repair it it won't need a re proof , just shoot it with black powder cartridges , it's quit an experience and most enjoyable , that rfd is taking the p*** - get it back.

£1500 ?

We'd take it off your paws for a fraction of that !

Checked the barrel and seems to be slight pitting but nothing drastic and a good tight lock up, I wouldn't have any worries about firing it if it was nitro proofed and I was checking it before firing, so I suppose the same goes for firing it with BP, I just need a spring replacing on the firing pin. Does anybody know a good gunsmith around the south yorks/ Derbyshire area who's sympathetic to antique weapons? And any idea where I might be able to get some BP 10 bore cartridges or do I need to go down the self loading route?

If there is any pitting in it then I wouldn't consider sending it for any proof as my recent experience is that it will fail regardless as to how shallow the pitting may be.

I would certainly think about BP loads as that is what it was made for but wouldn't put nitro through it.

I'd have a word with MLAGB about BP cartridges.

I used to reload mine when I shot my 10 bore BP shotgun.