The Holland was in a similar state to the Thompson when I picked it up. No wall gauge available but I had a bore gauge. It was 13-bore originally and still measures tighter than .719 so I knew it had not seen an enormous amount of lapping. Pits are quite bad but four thou should take them all out.
Lucky for me, when I got it back home and measured the walls they show minimum 30 thou' even at the bottom of the very deepest pits. Stock was filthy but wood is proud of the metal and strong. It cleaned up nicely. Forend wood needs some work. It even has the original chequer in good condition. It just seems to have been kept and not cleaned but has not been worn out with use.
The only adjustment I need to make is to the trigger sears, which have been worked on. A minor thing, but I like to get everything right, and I can feel the slight play in the hammer when pulled back to cock, where it should come to a crisp stop.
I'm hoping the Holland will be shootable by August so I can take it to Africa to shoot francolin and guineas, otherwise the Thompson will be going back for her third trip.
I get much more attached to a gun when I have rescued it myself and find a great deal of satisfaction and pleasure in shooting it.
I won't tell you what I paid for it because you would kill me.
Last edited by Small Bore; 07/02/10 02:44 AM.
