GE Lewis BLNE 20 Bore

[kermitpwee]

I'm looking at a GE Lewis BLNE 20 Bore in ireland at the moment. It is a beautiful gun but we don't have a proof laws here in ireland so i'm a little concerned about it. The barrells look good and the bores were clean but the chequering on the forestock was well worn. My heart is saying yes and my head no. Any advice, also what type of loads would it be acceptable to shoot thru it?

 

The gun is 1750 euro.

 

Thanks

 

Peter

[Cumbrian]

From my limited knowledge, I'd say that was pretty expensive for a non-ejector with worn chequering. And you really ought to check the wall thicknesses - must be at least 20 thou., preferably 25. Plenty of old guns on Guntrader.

[kermitpwee]

From my limited knowledge, I'd say that was pretty expensive for a non-ejector with worn chequering. And you really ought to check the wall thicknesses - must be at least 20 thou., preferably 25. Plenty of old guns on Guntrader.

 

 

Thanks mate.

[Cumbrian]

Glad to help. I know 20 gauges are hard to find. I used to have two side by sides, which were lovely to mount but a bit light; now only over/unders. Keep an eye on G Mackinlay's website. He is a gunsmith and specialises in old English and Scottish guns, and gives detailed descriptions of them. He had a good 20 gauge non-ejector recently, now sold, for only £1250. He does not appear on Guntrader.

[kermitpwee]

Glad to help. I know 20 gauges are hard to find. I used to have two side by sides, which were lovely to mount but a bit light; now only over/unders. Keep an eye on G Mackinlay's website. He is a gunsmith and specialises in old English and Scottish guns, and gives detailed descriptions of them. He had a good 20 gauge non-ejector recently, now sold, for only £1250. He does not appear on Guntrader.

Have decided not to go with that gun as the dealer is refusing to get the walls checked for thickness and we dont have any laws on the subject in Ireland.

 

Thanks.

[Cumbrian]

Probably a wise decision. He ought to be able to check the thicknesses himself - the equipment is not that expensive. Less than 20 thou. and the trade will not touch the gun, unless it is exceptionally fine in other ways. Wall thickness is not part of the proof test but it is a useful indicator of condition, though it must be said that some English guns were made with fairly thin walls from new (perhaps only 25 thou.)to reduce weight. For comparison, modern over/unders seem to have thicknesses in the .30-.40 thou. range. Good luck with your search. How about an AYA 20 gauge side by side, by the way, as a very good modern alternative?

[kermitpwee]

Probably a wise decision. He ought to be able to check the thicknesses himself - the equipment is not that expensive. Less than 20 thou. and the trade will not touch the gun, unless it is exceptionally fine in other ways. Wall thickness is not part of the proof test but it is a useful indicator of condition, though it must be said that some English guns were made with fairly thin walls from new (perhaps only 25 thou.)to reduce weight. For comparison, modern over/unders seem to have thicknesses in the .30-.40 thou. range. Good luck with your search. How about an AYA 20 gauge side by side, by the way, as a very good modern alternative?

 

Yes a AYA 20 bore could be a good option, now to find one!

Thanks for all your help mate.