An English gun that has passed proof, and maintains the original bore dimensions, but, is down to .006 on wall thickness at some point, has suffered some sort of poor gunsmithing, and, I think this is important, would certainly not pass proof today. Being in proof is just part of the puzzle, other facts and measurements will be required to know what level of ammunition, and, use will be acceptable. The use part is important as well, I owned a very old MacNaughton boxlock, the second gun produced by the firm with steel barrels, that I thought was going to be my daily shooter, clays, birds, Grouse, pheasant, woodcock, everything.
The gun had other ideas. Expensive ones.
Proof is no more than a snapshot of what things were in the past. Compromise is often part of the picture with an old gun. And a gun with .006 wall, is compromised.
Best,
Ted
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