It was quite common practice to re-tube Rook Rifles to .22 or bore them to .410 shotgun as Rook Rifle ammunition became hard to get. There was a time when the Police would only allow these to be kept on a Firearms Certificate hence the boring out to smooth which meant that only a Shotgun Certificate was required. On a F.C. a reason for having had to be explained whereas on a S.C. no explanation was needed. They argued that you had no need for one rifled if you couldn't get ammo for it and refused the required certificate. More enlightened times came along and if suitable ammunition was obsolete then; if pre 1939 manufacture, it could be kept as an antique and no certificate required at all if held as a curiosity and not used. This then increased the value of original unaltered Rook Rifles. Sadly a lot had by then been 'butchered'. I remember being offered a H & H .300 Rook rifle in it case for £30 back in the '70's but unable to get the rifle put on my certificate. Probably worth around £2,000 by now!
I think you got a good buy with the Wiggan & Elliot and would happily pay that for it. In .22 shot it would have to go on and be listed on a S.C. as ammo is easily obtainable here. Oddly I have a .300 Rook Rifle that has been smoothed out and Proof tested at .300 Smooth which is a calibre that does not exist so doesn't require a certificate. It would be worth quite a bit more had it been left original. Lagopus.....
