I have owned a trapdoor Springfield for quite some time as a wall hanger - not really ever intending to fire it. It's been in my family since at least the turn of the 20th century. Well, very long story but someone ended up loading it up and firing a very healthy 45/70 load through it. The results are in the attached photo. What event (s) would lead to this chamber distortion? I find it odd that it is so smooth and localized. The beginning of the belly would be 12 o'clock in the bore as best I can tell.
It was fired by someone who should have known better, he reported that it was more of a "fwump " than a boom. And the bullet did hit the intended 25 yard target.
Obviously, uber stupid thing to do but figured I could learn something from y'all!
Thanks in advance.
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