Thanks for the feed feedback and information. I realize that restoration is a sensitive subject. Not all would agree that a gun should be altered in any way. I am fortunate to own several shotguns, I would never think of restoring, and others that I have had freshened up.
This is a great gun, but I know of nothing of the providence. The gun was used and well kept, but the wonderful wood and Damascus are a far cry from its days of glory.I shoot this gun and will continue to do so. It has been my understanding that most English guns were regularly sent out to be to be restored. I would like to think that the former owner that bought this wonderful shooter would have appreciated it getting freshened up.
I do not think it is a stretch to imagine that he might have done so himself had the distance not been so far.
I hope to soon have the ruling changed prohibiting the use of the 8 gauge for hunting in Arizona. Our Governor has a moratorium on all rule changes as a cost cutting measure. Once this moratorium is lifted on rule changes,I hope the ruling will be reversed, as it now has the support of the AZ Game and Fish commission.
I have now set a goal to be the first person in modern times to take a turkey with an 8 gauge in Arizona.
I thought I would share some information on this gun and will provide pictures later, once I have an opportunity to take some decent pictures.
The S/N is 34415. It has 34 1/4" Damascus barrels. The gun weighs in at an even 12 lbs. There is a Swan engraved on the frame along with scroll work. Barrels are chocked .804 in both barrels. I shot it recently patterned it shooting 5 shots from each barrel at 30 yards using 1 3/4 oz of #2's. The pattern was such that less than 6 pellets were out side the circle, and the pattern was not only centered but very evenly distributed.
None of the guns I have owned have patterned as nice.
Thanks again for the interest and sharing of your knowledge.
Phil
