If you're interested in bidding on a gun at an auction, and can't get to the location to inspect the firearm, assuming the auction house is willing to respond to inquiries but will limit its examination of the consignment to a visual inspection, what are appropriate questions to ask? I assume, for the barrels, wall thickness, absence of any dents, bulges and pitting, condition of the blueing and extent of any rust, for the stock, the condition of the checkering and the finish, absence of any cracks, chips or splintering, whether it has been refinished or repaired, and for the action, how much case coloring is left/extent of any tarnishing or rust, how far to the right the top lever is at close, any mechanical issues detectable by opening and closing. And where would you draw the line between a visual and a mechanical inspection?
