Hello,
I'm new to this forum and vintage doubles.
I'm looking at a Beesley 12 gauge ejector sidelock. Overall it's in nice shape except for one thing, there's a deep gouge close to the muzzle and what looks like a crack or two several inches from the muzzle. The cracks and gouge are perpendicular to the bore (they go around the bore). The cracks aren't very big, maybe 1/6 the circumference of the bore; the gouge may be 3/8" long. Also, one of the cracks is by the ribs (partially between the upper and lower). The cracks are far enough down the bore where I can’t get a good eye on them (maybe they aren't really cracks?). The gouge I can clearly see. The rest of the bores look fine.
It’s originally a London proof, and then reproofed in Birmingham in 1984. Proof is .729, measured .729 for both. There are .023 & .025.
I can't see any dings, dents, or bulges on the barrels. They also look like they were blackened recently.
Serial is mid-1900's, putting it I believe in the 1910's year.
Barrels are steel (not Damascus).
Is this an issue? Could it be a problem in the future? Maybe just machine marks if the chokes were opened up? I know that the pressure gets pretty low out that far.
I'm thinking of getting an endoscope to take a better look.
Your thoughts are appreciated.