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Re-Blue metal; re-finish Wood--old single shot 22

Ramtinxxl
My 87-year-old father just gave me his 60+ year old "Springfield (Stevens) .22 Single-shot. It's the gun I learned on as a kid and with which I killed my first squirrels. It's been neglected for some time--rust spots on the underside of the barrel ahead of the stock and some scratches and gouges on the stock as well. I'm sure the stock will be fine with a good stripping and refinish.

Can someone recommend the BEST, SIMPLEST, method of bringing this "sentimentally priceless" but actually low-dollar-value piece back to "like new" condition?

Tung oil for the stock--which I've used successfully on old furniture?

Or that "Lin-Speed Oil" someone else mentioned on here?

What about for the barrel and action? Should I go to a "professional" for reblueing? Help, PLEASE! [:)][8)]
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Comments

9 comments

Date Votes
  • Bert H.
    Personally, I would not do anything to it other than removing the rust spots.

    That old rifle will always have much more character if you allow it to remain as is... to refinish it you would be to destroying its heritage.

    To remove the rust spots, liberally apply some Kroil, allow it to soak for 24 hours, then gently scrub with some 0000 steel wool. Repeat as necessary to completely remove the active rust. Remove the stock, and clean it with some quality wood furniture cleaner. When you have done that, you might be surprised at how well it will look.

    Bert H.

    Real Men use a SINGLE-SHOT!
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  • allechalley
    I'm with Bert on this one. Oil it every so often to keep the rust away and every time you do it's sort of like having him close by again. Seems like you almost want to ask something like when you "helped" clean guns when he was around.
    A friend had an old LC Smith (no not a high grade, a Baker) that looked a little ratty and grubby. After cleaning and oiling the bores and metal, I tried some Panel Magic with lemon oil. Seemed to clean the crap off the wood but left everything else alone. He was amazed, as was I how it seemed to brighten the wood color. Maybe I did something hideous, but it sure made an old beater look nice for very little money and a little TLC.
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  • Beeramid
    I have to say that I agree with the other fellas. Remove the rust spots and leave the rest be. I've got two really old guns that were given to me by my grandfather and there's no way I'd ever change em. I just keep them clean and value what it means to me.

    COOLBULLETS.jpg You are knuckle-dragging ape with a gun.
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  • Ramtinxxl
    Thanks, fellas, you've convinced me. I really didn't want to detract from the "character" of the piece and I believe your suggestions are right on target. "Kroil," huh, I'll give that a look...and "Panel Magic." I think I can handle those easily enough. Again, I appreciate the tips and suggestions. [;)]
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  • Xracer
    I'm in exactly the same position as you. My first rifle, a single-shot Springfield (Stevens) Model 15....got it as a Christmas present in 1947 (current collector's value....zip!). I put it away many years ago and now it's a bit rusty, dusty, and dirty (not to mention, very well used).

    If you want to keep it's "character".....fine.

    But if you want to bring it back to it's "new condition when I was a kid", that's fine too. If you're going to refinish it, do it right. Take it to a good gunsmith for rebluing.....the old girl deserves that for all the happy memories!

    Whatever feels "right" for you.....go for it!!
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  • modoc
    Everybody can do what pleases him,that's for sure.I believe if you want all your guns to look new then you should go out and buy new guns.It's as simple as that.Not all of us have tender hearts and like to remember good times with long lost comrades or family.Those old, worn finishes on most older guns mean history to some and neglect to others.I for one,agree with those who say "leave it alone" but, if it is yours and you want to ruin it please don't try to pass it off as original as far too many guys do.modoc

    BILL
    KEEP YOUR POWDER DRY.BUT NOT HOT.....single action S&Ws are keepers
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  • rhmc24
    Since this was a 'how' question rather than whether, here is a quick and dirty way to do it. Remove old finish from the stock, probably use paint remover, but you can scrape and sandpaper it. Do it with the butt cap on. Otherwise you will round the edge of the wood next to the butt cap. When you get it clean and smooth, wet it to give an idea of what it will look like when it gets varnished. If you wet it with water you will want to sand it again after it dries. Stain it if you want it darker. Check again and maybe sand it some again. I use water base eurethane varnish. It dries quick and you can do more than one coat in a day. Sand lightly between coats and maybe rub down final coat with fine steel wool. You can do a pretty good finish that way. For the barrel , if the only rust is on the bottom, cut emery paper in strips and attack the rust shoe-shine wise. Use finer and finer emery toward the final finish. You can do a pretty good looking cold blue job with most any of the common ones. I don't really like any cold blue very much but Brownell's Oxpho Blue has been best for me. The overall look of the gun will look fine to people who don't know guns. Those "on the know" may say it's nice from far but far from nice.
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  • Ramtinxxl
    Mine is the same, a Model 15 purchased (new, I presume) in about '43 or '44 by my father. I am more interested in preserving the "sentimental" value than trying to pass it off on anyone. God willing, as long as I can buy beans by some other means, it will NEVER leave my possession for any reason--except to be passed on to my son.

    After my mom passed away just over two years ago, my older brothers---one of whom is also a "gun nut"--have treated the rest of us...my father, my sister and myself...like we didn't exist. My father has been giving little bits of his stuff to my sister and me before he dies knowing that the older brothers will likely try to rush in and grab anything that's not tied down...and even what is. I hate that it's like that but they made the call, not the rest of us. Soooo, whatever my father chooses to pass to me becomes cherished and of infinite value to me. Likewise, the old clock on my mantle will only leave my house to be cleaned or repaired.

    My brothers have already demonstrated that they care NOTHING about the sentimental value of heirlooms, especially if there is no intrinsic worth. My parents were poor and came from poor families so NONE of their possessions are of any great intrinsic worth. But to me, the things that helped them ENJOY their simple lives are the tings I can cherish as PRICELESS, because it brougth joy to them, not because it has great monetary value to anyone. In my way of thinking, I'm richer for having this attitude they my brothers are for being so greedy and unloving. Their loss. [V]
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  • He Dog
    I, myself, would do as Bert H suggests and just treat the rust and clean her up. If you want to "restore" her to your squirrel hunting days, have the work done by a good smith who appreciates fine old if not colletor item firearms. Maybe you can find one that will give you a price break for letting you help with the scut work.
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