Well just to update you all.

Pull it all apart and gave it a good clean. One thing I was concerned is that it’s gape was larger than it should all the locking bolts to go back meaning that you have hold top lever across to close it again.

Once I had cleaned the grime the front of the action it was a piece at the income had broken and been bent down by constantLy over opening. Took a very good gunsmith - a friend of a friend - for his views. Cracked action - do not pass proof. Possibly could Tig or laser weld it - he has given it a try, but the metal is not having it, so it’s just a wall hanger.

It’s sad that this can’t be given a new lease of life - but that’s life I am afraid.