Spot-on.
Every gun I start using seems to get older than the last. I have been using black powder shells loaded with 1oz of No.6 in an old hammer pigeon gun by Thomas Sylven of The Strand, wuth non-rebounding locks, for most of the second half of the pheasant season.
It was proofed (30" damascus barrels)in 1868 for black powder and has never been inside the proof house since. Still on the original bores, it shoots beautifully and is perfectly sound and strong.
Damage, neglect and repeated repair will wear-out a gun, not age alone.
