Bore grading standards?
 

Is there a standard for barrel bore grading that anyone has heard of on the web? It seems to be elusive...

Thanks!

No formalized array of descriptions. But I heard a few like,

"Probably not fired before" -- Probably? Most of time, it was fired a few rounds, including one overloaded round. Otherwise, how did inspector put the proof mark on it. But the bore is indeed mirror bright, with perfect rifling, no visible scratches. Muzzle looks new as well.

"Excellent" -- Mirror bright bore with strong rifling, but minor scratch lines may present. Muzzle might show minor patina.

"Very Good", "Good" -- Not mirror for sure, may have minor pits, or frosted but not very serious, still have complete and strong rifling. Muzzle shows minor rust, dings, etc.

"Sewer Pipe", "I cannot see any trace of rifling inside!", etc -- Self explained.

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Also, this bore business also has an "original" context like gun blue. If a gun is relined or rebarrelled, it should be explicitly described so. Many people do not though.

you look down the bore? ;)


Seriously, I sometimes buy a gun without looking down the bore, although I know lots of folks that are extremly anal about wanting to see down the bore and by-god it must be perfect (which seems weird to me, of all the parts, I expect it to be most likely to have been corroded)


ed

I like to look down the bore just to make sure there ain't nuthin' there. Like a live round, two or three jammed bullets, a lost ATF agent....

FN

Like Fred, I examine the bore. I think of it as a colonoscopy of the gun. Regards

I always check the bore. But how important it is depends on variation. For example, the bore of Buller's CH was described as "Good" (a little bit frosted), the thing is so hard to find one, "Good" is acceptable.

But, if it's a 1930, bolo, etc, there are too many of them coming with mint or excellent bore. Actually, on some particular variation, it's hard to find a sample with poor bore, e.g. "Red 9"...... most of those that I met coming with great bore, making me wonder whether German had ever used them or not. Comparing with gun blue, it's relatively hard to cheat on bore.

So, depends on variation.

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[Edit] And lost many oppertunities because of this.