A quick update...

First off, apologies to Mike Rowe for not responding to your advice to paper patch. I did buy the book on that and will try it once the Dickson is back in my hands. I'm having its horn butt plate repaired (if possible) or replaced so I can shoot it without the fugly leather strap on butt cover I've been using to protect the worm eaten original plate from being further damaged. That's in process now.

Second, I was fortunate to have been able to pick up a second 500 BPE double. This is a Woodward from 1892 that just arrived from Holts November 2022 auction. I now have twice the reason to work up loads. The rifle is nice. Some renewed finishes but not overdone in my view. Rebounding hammers. Jones undercover. Brilliant bores. I will post pictures on a new thread once I get it outside in the sun at the range. (I was also very lucky to have scored the Dickson 250 rook in the same auction. That one is simply gorgeous. Of course no one seems to have 250 rook dies in stock...)