PARKERS IN THE RAIN
I have several old SxSs, most built before 1910, that I use for all my hunts, except the rainy days. Sure they were intended for use in any weather, but now they are my heavily invested guns, so I think differently. One of my guns, I paid the price of a nice, but used pick-up truck. You can protect the exterior of the wood and metal with some kind of protectant, but what about the internal parts. Water can enter a few places on any double receiver such as the firing pin holes, gap between the wood and upper tang and through the barrel lug "well" of the receiver, not to mention any gaps on a not so tight soldered top rib. And unless you are ready to remove the stock and forearm iron for proper removal of water, moisture could become a real problem left unattended. I have in my arsenal what I call my "rain guns" for those days that I must go hunting, but just can't find myself in using one of my prized collection, especially if the hunt would turn out to be "skunked" with no bag for the day. I would just use my single barrel H & R 12 gauge or my $400 Auto 5 standard 16 gauge with Poly-choke for those wet ones.
Just my opinion.
Bill
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