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500 Nitro,
THank you for the reply. I was surprised as it is not uncommon to find black powder rifles with pitted and rusted barrels. I refer to muzzle loaders of recent manufacture; this includes the new type inlines as well as the traditional types. Many of these are only a couple of years old and have been badly negleted. Black powder does not need much of a headstart.

Also, many rifles of an age similar to the Grant (black powder era leverguns, trapdoors, falling blocks, etc)do not have bores this nice. Some do, just not many that I see. Many surplus military rifles from the time when the primer was corrosive have pitted, dark bores. Some of these still shoot well, however.

Why is this? Maybe the American black powder era guns were often looked upon as a working tools and did not get the care one would give a prized arm. Some previous owner may have been a slacker or have had to use thie arm in a setting/situation that prevented timely cleaning. I know that military arms are often only tools to the soldier; other priorities may take immediate precedence over cleaning. I do think that cleaning and care was a little too far down the priority list when I was in the infantry. I was fortunate enough to be in when no one was trying to kill us; I bet the care and cleaning of that personal weapon is higher on the list now.

The double user in the blackpowder era was not the average joe. He probably had shelter and at least decent conditions in the evenings; this should allow him or an aid to properly care for the equipment. The level of skill required to make a nice double and lavish it with fine ornamentation would indicate that the double was a prize; I think the owner knew what he had and treated it appropriately. It is unlikely that the arm was looked upon as just a tool.

I know this is long, but until asked, I had not reflected on why I should be surprised at the good bore condition of a 100+ year old BPE double. Maybe I should not have been. It is good that subsequent owners have kept the bores cared for.

Douglas Mays

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