Bill,

I don't claim to be an expert on these issues, and I know I can't answer each of your questions.

1 - The proof house would be governed by the laws of the juristiction where it exists. We have no proof houses in the US. I feel sure there is some sort of a standard of care, but I wouldn't venture a guess.

2 - I have no doubt that a person making one of these conversions will realize some liability protection by having the rifle proofed and then using the rifle within the constraints of that proof. If I were defending that case I think the proof would be a major factor.

The proof represents a scientific test by acknowledged experts specifically designed to determine the safety of the barrel and action to withstand the intended working pressure. You are better off with it than without it.

3 - If you aren't trained in the methods of proofing a gun my guts tell me you aren't going to shield yourself from liability by shooting it in your back yard with a few overloads.

4 - This question represents a matter of degree. At what point does the activity deviate from reasonable care? There is a distinction between a shotgun to DR conversion and what you are setting forth with rebarreling a Mauser. Also, Mausers are routinely rebarreled to more modern chamberings, so it may be accepted practice. I know that Douglas Barrels does some testing on actions it rebarrels (or used to rebarrel).

5 - The U.S. doesn't have proof laws. This would be an issue of general negligence.

6 - You would have to ask them.

None of this should be taken as legal advice. The laws of each state of the U.S. differ. I am not qualified to give advice on this topic, certainly not outside of Virginia. I would render advice in Virginia only after some serious legal research, which I have not done.

I think my comments do set forth some general principles on the topic, but nobody should rely on what I have said here.

Notwithstanding what I said in #2 above, iIt is certainly possible that somebody who makes a conversion could face civil liability even if the conversion is submitted to proof. I just don't know, and absent research I know of no cases decided on the issue.

Curl