Fulton-
As noted, this isn't just some old gun.
It's a very high quality double rifle made by one of the most prestigious makers in the world.
They are still in business.
Your rifle, in whatever condition it is in right now is worth thousands of dollars.
Allowing anyone besides a highly qualified gunmaker or double rifle mechanic, and I repeat from before -- there are few of them in this country -- will almost surely cost the rifle great value, and possibly it's ability to function at all.
IT looks like someone's blued the action. Hopefully that wasn't some 'dunk it in the bluing tank' job from 'bubba the gunsmith', and hopefully the guts inside the receiver (the lockwork) aren't rusted to death from the experience.
There's no telling who cut and re-lengthened the stock. You will never know, and for the sake of the rifle and it's value, it just doesn't matter.
If you don't know what to do with it right now, hesitate.
Hold on to it until you get some solid advice from a reputable gunbuilder.
I strongly suggest you get on the telephone with JJ at Champlin Arms.
(580) 237-7388
Arrange to ship the rifle to him for inspection.
Pay the price of inspection, it will be very much worth it to you.
Even in the 'relatively hacked' condition it is in right now, it has great value.
Someone's been fiddling with it who shouldn't have even been let near it.
If you're lucky, JJ will be able to get it together properly for you and at the very least prepare it for sale so that you can get the value out of it and get it into the hands of someone who can care for it properly and appreciate it for what it is.
Frankly, it should be fixed up and hunted with.
You should know that there is a relatively steep learning curve associated with handling, caring for, handloading for, and shooting double rifles.
It's possible to completely destroy this gun simply by following the reloading techniques common to most centerfire bolt action rifle shooters.
I can't stress enough to you that this thing is special.
Treat it as such, and get it over to JJ for a look-see and go from there.
In the meantime, do not hesitate to get this rifle and your questions about it over to NitroExpress.com
We're not kidding about that community, there you will find the most accurate and complete body of knowledge on the double rifle.
A member of that community has already contributed to this thread, and you will find that the folks there are very polite and generous with their knowledge.
Good luck with the rifle.
--Tinker
