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Greetings!
If you had this W & C Scott 12 gauge gun as a candidate for a project, what would you do with it? I’m considering a budget-minded first attempt at making a double rifle out of this one. Maybe sleeve the barrels for 45-70, black powder. I already have an assortment of .458 molds, from 305 Grain Gas checked flat noses to 500 Grains, and a number of them in between. Dies and brass are already on hand as well. I’d differentiate the loaded black powder loads from all others by blacking the primers with a Sharpie pen when they got primed.
It’s a little loose, so FIRST, I’d replace or rotate the hinge pin, and then if necessary, TIG the ladder-shaped piece that latches it in two places and work it back with plenty of blacking and various files and stones. If and only if that were to tighten it up properly, I’d look for a source for sleeves… (Suggestions, anyone?) The barrels have been re-blued, and “Twist Steel” has been etched with a vibrating engraver on the bottom rib under the forend through the newer blue. A Damascus pattern is no longer visible in any light I’ve tried. The bores are fairly good, and the barrels are currently a little over 27-1/2” long. I have background in machine shops, and a good lathe here at home in my shop.
The locks are clean and crisp with plenty of snap. I would need to bush the firing pins, but I bet I can figure that out. Hanging the barrels on a finger and striking them produces a clattery sounding ‘clank’ so a rib or two must be loose. Sights might not be too big a deal, I know a fellow who works for an investment casting foundry, and has access to plenty of wax …
It’ll need the stock replaced eventually, as it was once broken in two through the wrist. I believe it was once Acraglassed with several lengths of allthread through the break.
I don’t currently have a great deal of playing around money, but I bet this could be done for a reasonable price. I already own the gun, and in its current state it’s not much good for anything but a wallhanger. It would be good practice for some later project as well. Besides, with those graceful hammers, it’d look really neat. I do plan to buy Ellis Brown’s newest book whenever it comes out. Any word on when it’ll be available?
Am I off-base in considering this scheme?
Comments and suggestions as always, are welcome.
MacNaughton360