CharlesP

I'm following this thread with great interest and, indeed, disappointment. If you bought these guns as a pair it is (as the shootist has said above) astonishing that different trigger mechanisms are fitted. If a different one was fitted at a later date to cure, say, a failure to fire the second barrel that's just as appalling unless it was done after comprehensive consultation, and even then I would expect both guns to be similarly modified as there's an implication that the original mechanism wasn't fit for purpose. If you didn't know about this difference it would be unreasonable for Longthorne's to claim that you're out of time on any warranty claim as the internal parts of the gun are not visible to the user. That "hairline crack" doesn't look like what I would call a hairline crack it looks like a plain old broken stock, and shouldn't have happened, assuming you haven't been using the gun as a club. The grain there looks a bit contrary! The fore end wood shouldn't have opened up like that. It shouldn't rattle. Is the inner surface untreated? That could perhaps explain a differential expansion as moisture in the air is taken up by the inner surface but not by the finished outer. I have a problem with a front door caused by such a phenomenon. I look forward to the video, and I sincerely hope that Messrs Longthorne do the right thing by you. I can't afford a Longthorne gun, I haven't been attracted to them anyway, but this thread together with other comments would kill any desire to do so.

https://www.wwgreener.com/shop.html Graham Greener still sells the book online... The rest of the Greener web site is interesting, too!

Funnily enough I asked this question of the young lady who came round to inspect my security arrangements. She is employed by Dorset Police Firearms Licensing team. She was absolutely adamant that your Firearms / Shotgun Certificate shouldn't be posted to anyone at all, unless it's back to the police for some reason. Fine to send a copy to demonstrate that you have got the right id etc.

I strongly suspect that it's time to consult a gunsmith. Not a gun shop, not a mate who fired a rifle when he was in the cadets, and not a chum who is a motor fitter. A proper qualified gunsmith. If you're planning to use this gun then it should have someone of genuine competence examine it, look closely at the action, very closely at the bores, determine if the thing is in proof, are the barrels bulged or dented or rivelled, is the rib loose, and all manner of other matters. There is a video on the internet of an elderly gentleman walloping the bejasus out of a shotgun to tighten it, on no account should anyone attempt to do this. Your questions about tightening the action, mending the stock, and polishing the action etc lead me to suspect that with all due respect you are not really the person to carry out the work. The inclusion of a Do-it-Yourself book on gunsmithing in your photographs confirms it.

Typical. Let the children play with your shotgun when you've left your dremel tool lying about....

Isn't there a LOP adjustment on an F3 trigger? Just a thought...

My F3 has had thousands of cartridges through it, and is pretty much looking like the day I bought it. Apart, that is, from self-inflicted marks such as tiny dings on the stock. I see quite a few locally, and the vast majority are fine.

Have you tried Ian Mulliner on 01258 840840 ?

Any photos of the shocking finish, Bungle?

I share the astonishment of many on here. I have no idea if there's anywhere in Dorset that will simply hand over a gun and let someone wander off with it if they have no certificate. Certainly the largest ground won't even let you have a counter without a shotgun certificate, nor will they sell you any cartridges.

Here's my 1892 Greener Facile Princeps - ie "Easily First" or "Acknowledged Leader". It's been in my hands since 1979. Fine bored, action rejointed, rebrowned (I suspect) by Powell's it was sent to auction. I have shot pheasants, partridges, hare, rabbits and pigeons with it and it has been carefully cleaned and oiled sparingly after each outing. You can see it was proofed at .740", and the bore measurements are the same as the day it left the proof house. Toward to muzzles you can see the elephant mark stamped on all Greener barrels. Here's the action, this is a Grade F16. There were lots of different grades, from dead plain to exhibition standard. It has Greener's favoured side safety. The rounded action is extraordinarily comfortable. The grain on the stock is beginning to open a bit, and the chequering is all but worn out. I forgot to photograph the stock itself, it's a nice bit of timber. The action again, complete with elephant mark The gun is a non-ejector, meaning it opens and closes beautifully. The gun shows no sign of getting loose, and it closes with a wonderfully precise click without any binding or clanging. The browning is fading a little, but I have to say I prefer a lighter shade to the chocolate or deep red colours sometimes seen.

Well said, bigman. Three words!

If you make them like the one in the photo it might be a good idea to make the business end flat and true without the "rounding off" so evident in the picture

Gunman I so agree with you. Cost is probably one prohibitive factor. Another is the bit about "...and be able to use them".

Mr Brown, beauty is in the eye of the beholder!