barrel ring in trapdoor

[Warren T Upp]

howdy!! just purchased a beeyoutiful 84 trapdoor ramrod, all wood great w/ cartouches correct & proofmark, all metal with great bluing remaining, all barrell and inspectors marks original. arsenal markingks show original barrell, a truly wonderful looking 84..............except.............it has a ring in the otherwise beutifully rifled barrel, about 6 inches from the muzzle, goues all the way around rifling, but there is no swelling of barrel, i have posted on a couple of other sites asking this question, trying to accumulate as much info has possible, is it safe to shoot? is it possible it will be accurate? does the ring affect the "collector, not shooter" value. any answers/opinions or info much appreciated, will try to post pics in next day or so.........WTU

[Will Ketchum]

I would think it would be safe, unless the ring was from shooting a smokeless powder load after a stuck bullet.  That may have caused some action damage.  You may want to take it to a gunsmith and have him check the action and the head space.  As to how well it shoots?  Well you will just have to try it.   I once had a 38-40 Bisley Colt that had a bulged barrel and it shot very well.

Will Ketchum