What's Your Biggest Concern

[OH Osthaus]

assuming we are talking well worn guns

buy the barrels first

if they are not good that gun cannot be used without sleeving which is only practical for very rare guns

then overall - beyond the barrels - its overall condition - is it shootable as is, if not do the repairs exceed the value at the end of the project

[Randy Roberts]

When it comes to pressure the barrels are the weakest point and are always my main concern. Recoil would be the culprit to be concerned with as far as the wood goes. Personally I am not going to shoot anything with so much recoil that I would need to be concerned, at least not in my vintage doubles.

[mobirdhunter]

Pressure -- barrels.

Recoil -- stock head

Date -- mid 1880's (but my experience with earlier is nil)