Here is an interesting story about a found B.P. Rifle.
http://www .fieldandstream.com/photos/gallery/hunting/2009/03/mystery-muzzleloader-found-montana?photo=3
Our local museum has a "found" 32 gauge in it's collection. The gun was made in England in the 1840s, It was found in the mid '60s leaning against a tree - unloaded. The stock was rotten where it touched the ground and the barrel was rusty - other than the lock spring it could be fired at least once. I have seen one shotgun that spent ten years under the wood floor of a cattle barn. The high acid rotted the wood and the barrel had holes rusted through it.
Another gun found that was placed under the floor boards of a home for at least 35 years had a layer of black grime on it but cleaned up to look almost like new. The home had spent at least fifteen of those years without heat.
http://www .fieldandstream.com/photos/gallery/hunting/2009/03/mystery-muzzleloader-found-montana?photo=3
Our local museum has a "found" 32 gauge in it's collection. The gun was made in England in the 1840s, It was found in the mid '60s leaning against a tree - unloaded. The stock was rotten where it touched the ground and the barrel was rusty - other than the lock spring it could be fired at least once. I have seen one shotgun that spent ten years under the wood floor of a cattle barn. The high acid rotted the wood and the barrel had holes rusted through it.
Another gun found that was placed under the floor boards of a home for at least 35 years had a layer of black grime on it but cleaned up to look almost like new. The home had spent at least fifteen of those years without heat.
