Sleeving up a gauge

[Milton Starr]

something I wanted to ask about . I ran across a 10 ga westerly Richards
real old hammerless model like 1900s I think . I emailed the serial number to WR and asked them about it since they keep records . They said it was originally a 12 gauge the barrels had been sleeved up to 10 gauge . Which ive never heard of that being done have any of yall ? what also surprised me was they will make a new set of barrels no matter how old one of their guns is, for ole 10,000$ for a new set .

[Ed Blake]

If the frame is large enough to accommodate the bigger gauge, then sure it can be done. There are a number of Parker 10/12 two barrel sets on both the 2 and 3 frames. Could you see the sleeping line at the end of the chamber?

[Milton Starr]

I'm not familiar with sleeping lines I didn't handle the gun it was on a antique gun website in the U.k. . I know a gunsmith who bored non taper 10 gauge barrels to 8 gauge and tested them to 21,000 psi but that was modern steel .
ive seen purpose built guns like 16 ga on 20 ga frame or similar but never a frame built for one gauge having a larger gauge built on it .

[Ed Blake]

I meant sleeving line.

[charlie cleveland]

interesting story about the 10 ga to 8 ga..i know one of our members is having his 10 ga parker bored to 8 ga..i wonder how he s coming along with it.. charlie

[Bill Murphy]

I'm not sure WR asked for pictures of your gun to determine exactly what it is. We will ask you to post pictures and describe the markings on the barrel and action flats before we comment much.

[Milton Starr]

I don't know if I would be able to find the pictures . it was one a site called micks guns I think a few years back just something I was thinking about .
Charlie the 10 to 8 ga conversion on the singleshot by the gunsmith I talked to said it wasn't ideal because of the cost to do it . He says it leaves rough tooling marks in the bored to rebore to 8 gauge and to have the tooling to do a smooth and polished bore to remove the tooling marks was 600$ so he canceled the project . He said that it wouldn't be cost effect to do for people . I will try to find pictures of that W. Richards it was priced under 3000$ American dollars I want to say the serial number was 4 digits . Ive just never heard of up sleeving a barrel

[Milton Starr]

found it on youtube
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xbecW1AYXHI
that's the gun I remember the video from the for sale add