410 proof marks

[muddy42]

Dear Forum,
Can someone help me confirm the max shot load (in lead) that this .410 can fire? Would 7/16ths be 7/16ths ounces meaning 12.4 grams? Furthermore I understand that typically when converting to grams you can round up, meaning 13grams. Annoyinlg a lot of most 410 cartridges start at 14 grams.
Thanks,





Dear

 

[muddy42]

bump, anyone?

 

[Tarvie]

bump, anyone?

Dear Muddy 42;
I am not a gunsmith and hopefully one will be along soon but I do have a bit of experience with vintage .410s their use and proofing of. The proof marks indicate the gun was originally proofed in Birmingham between 1904 and 1925 when the barrels measured .405”. The chambers are for 2.5” cartridges as indicated by the LC below 410 in the triangle. It looks like the barrels have been re-proofed when they measured .409” and were tested to a pressure of 3.5 tons. As you say the original proof was for a max charge of 7/16th of an ounce or about13grammes of shot but it is the pressure of 3.5 tons which really counts. If the gun is in good condition and the barrels are on the face this could be safely used with any modern 2.5” cartridge which does not exceed 3.5 tonnes of pressure. So 12 - about 14.5 Grammsof shot should be no problem. As the gun is clearly of some age and to be on the safe side get it checked over by a qualified gunsmith first if you are not sure.
More pictures and details of the gun would be of interest to me and others if you have time to post.
Kind regards
Tarvie

 

[muddy42]

Dear Muddy 42;
I am not a gunsmith and hopefully one will be along soon but I do have a bit of experience with vintage .410s their use and proofing of. The proof marks indicate the gun was originally proofed in Birmingham between 1904 and 1925 when the barrels measured .405”. The chambers are for 2.5” cartridges as indicated by the LC below 410 in the triangle. It looks like the barrels have been re-proofed when they measured .409” and were tested to a pressure of 3.5 tons. As you say the original proof was for a max charge of 7/16th of an ounce or about13grammes of shot but it is the pressure of 3.5 tons which really counts. If the gun is in good condition and the barrels are on the face this could be safely used with any modern 2.5” cartridge which does not exceed 3.5 tonnes of pressure. So 12 - about 14.5 Grammsof shot should be no problem. As the gun is clearly of some age and to be on the safe side get it checked over by a qualified gunsmith first if you are not sure.
More pictures and details of the gun would be of interest to me and others if you have time to post.
Kind regards
Tarvie

Thanks a lot. Its a side by side that was made by W Jeffrey. It has barrel mounted sling attachments and has a stock that you can add a section to, in order to lengthen the stock. Even then its way too short for me, its for teaching young ones.

To be clear, its definitely NOT for sale. Pics to follow.

 

[muddy42]

 

[Tarvie]

Thanks a lot. Its a side by side that was made by W Jeffrey. It has barrel mounted sling attachments and has a stock that you can add a section to, in order to lengthen the stock. Even then its way too short for me, its for teaching young ones.

To be clear, its definitely NOT for sale. Pics to follow.

Thanks for posting these pictures Muddy. That’s a great vintage.410 that looks to be in excellent condition for its age, probably manufactured between 1911 and 1925 and unusual with the later addition of sling swivels and a neat adjustable stock. Eley Fourlong cartridges with no. 7 shot should be perfect even though they only carry 12 grams of shot they pattern well and are relatively low pressure. Enjoy!
All the best
Tarvie