There is no point in doing anything to the stock until I have the my barrel back as I have no idea if it will pass proof. I'd be very mad at myself if I got the stock back to a really nice finish, only to find the barrel is scrap. I'd never find another barrel that fits this stock perfectly with no adjusting of the finished wood.

If it fails, I'll simply buy a whole new gun, as trying to find a barrel only would be a nightmare and a huge waste of time and fuel travelling all around the country. I've been offered a nice Pedersoli BB for a fair price, and I've been told there are plenty of even cheaper options out there to buy.

I'm sure the proof house are ignoring me. I sent them another email yesterday, no reply again. I wish I'd sent it to London now, rather than Birmingham!