Shotgun Restoration
Does anyone have a recomendation on where you would send an antique shotgun for some metal restoration work?
Damascus barrels need some dings removed.
Barrels need to be re-blued (re-browned).
Engraving needs to be touched up in worn places.
Damascus barrels need some dings removed.
Barrels need to be re-blued (re-browned).
Engraving needs to be touched up in worn places.
0
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Who, what company, restores older shotguns? I have a friend interested in having a turn of the century side by side restored. Thanks for the help.
San Pablo0 -
Hello griz...
Are we talking about a high grade SxS like a Parker Bros., Colt 1883, L.C. Smith (it really hurts to say that name, and please don't tell Nord that I mentioned it), or one of the English made guns?
If not, it would be FAR from being cost effective to restore just a common old scattergun. Quality restoration work is NOT cheap, especially the type of work you are asking about.
Bert H.
Real Men use a SINGLE-SHOT!0 -
Hello griz and welcome to the bored,
I have collected, shot and sold Parker's for over forty years-my qualifier[:)]
I would suggest that you state the manufacturer, condition that the arm is in now and if you wish, the reason for having the gun "restored". A firearm can only be original one time. I have only once personally restored a gun and that was because of the extremely rare nature of the beast and it's cry for "help". Condition as acquired was unknown-painted. No, I am not asking for the work. There are several individuals that do come to mind and I would seperate the work you so desire per individual. Keith Kearcher in Oregon does the best work on barrels, absolute professional that I can recommend. His damascus and twist work will knock you out. Sames goes for the exterior finish as it part of the work. Most older doubles have the locks case colored. Doug Turnbull is likely the best I have reviewed.
If engraving requires work, look at the Engravers Guild. You may wish also to check with your local "quality" jewlery store. Not a Timex type shop. If the screws slots are a mess, an irritation to me, they may be Tig welded up and slots re-cut. Wood work, I can suggest:
www.winrest.com Mechanical work sounds likely to be expected. If horizontial wobble=new hinge pin-about $350.00. Vertical looseness requires Tig welding of the locking lug and likely a new "wear block".
Same cost. Wood can be re-checked, pits may be filled. Extremely costly. Remember-what was made in the past can be made again. If you wish-contact me through my profile for more specifics. Have a nice
evening. 1010 -
Bert...It's an 1883 Colt.
101...I agree with you that they can only be original once and I haven't yet decided just how far I want to go with this one. The thing is, I would like to shoot it with some sub 7000 psi pressure loads. I don't want to shoot it however, until I have it checked out by a qualified double gun smith or other double expert of which we have none in our immediate area. A couple of these barrel dings are pretty bad and appear like they might extend a slight dimple into the bore.
I probably mis-stated my original question. My thinking was to find some contacts to email or contact with some photos and get some bids in addition to having it checked for safety and then go from there. If there are some repairs that need to be done at a reasonable price to make it shootable then I may consider having the barrels redone. The wood is not that bad. If not, then I guess I have a Colt wall hanger.0 -
Hello Griz...
Nice shotgun[^] I have a real soft spot for the Colt Model 1883. It would be a real shame to make a mantle queen out of it[:(] Hopefully 101AIRBORNE can help you out with whatever restoration you may undertake with it. I wish you the best of luck with that grand old scattergun.
Bert H.
Real Men use a SINGLE-SHOT!0 -
I have an 1883 Colt hammerless. Can anyone tell me how to properly break it down? It is filthy, and I would just like to apply some oil to keep it from rusting and just take the top layer of gunk off. NO, I don't want to "clean it" or make it look like new. I just want it to keep from getting worse!
Thanks!
Merc
Insignia?
Nos nullus habitum rancidum insignia!
"Tolerating things you may not necessarily like is part of being free" - Larry Flynt0 -
First to that "NASTY" from Bert... I just don't understand how a man that's so wise about his choice of transportation can be so challenged in his choice of scatterguns. It's obvious that Elcee's rule, isn't it?[;)] (By the way, the new scoot was loaded on the train yesterday. Should arrive about the 21st.)
The Colt - A very nice old gun! I'll assume an oil finish on the wood and the usual patina on the whole piece... Murphy's Oil Soap will do wonders on the wood without any harm. It allows you to decide on the degree of soil removal and protects the wood at the same time. Truth is, it might even work on the tubes.
As to the tubes, it very much depends on the degree of oxidation and dirt that's accumulated over time. Brass wool will help, along with a mild cleaning agent. Believe it or not, I'd probably start off with the wool, a mild detergent, and some very hot water. Once the oil-dirt mixture has been removed, then you'll have a better idea about the underlying brown finish. I'm guessing that it will be in better shape than you think and it can be easily touched up with a browning agent.
After all is done, then a nice coat of quality gun oil. You'll then have a gun that's almost as nice as a worn Elcee.[:D] Post some pics. It's always good to see a nice gun that's really cared for.
Nord0 -
This is for Elcee loving Nord. When Winchester was developing the Md 21, they went out and bought at various retailers, an LC Smith, Fox Sterlingworth, Ithica, and a Parker Trojan. These guns had 30in. barrels with a Mod./Full choke barrels. They wanted to compare the Md 21 to these guns after proof testing. the results:
Parker: Daylight visible at the breech after 10 rounds, left side of frame cracking, forearm split at 275 rounds, butt stock split at 300 rounds, daylight too great at the breech after 305 rounds for further firing.
Ithica: daylight at the breech after 3 rounds, butt cracked at 10 rounds, action seized after 56 rounds.
Fox: daylight at the breech after 6 rounds, gun started to blow open after 60 rounds, gun blew open at 80 rounds, testing stopped.
LC Smith: No exact data available on rounds fired it was noted that when testing stopped, the gun was unserviceable and unsafe.
the Md 21, 2000 rounds fired, know visible sign, of wear. on the frame or barrels, butt stock was cracked
These guns were proofed with with rounds at 50% greater charge than the standard round.
So with that said, "onlywinchester" is the best!! LOL
Regards Dave0 -
Yeah!! Dave!!
There are no bad guns, only bad people.0 -
i like winchesters...no doubt, but i gotta challenge the goal of testing. the flaw in the conclusions that my very good friend 'onlywinchesters' claims is...the test only proves that the winchester outlasts all, if it is shot with double loads. under normal conditions, all normally will last remarkably well. just like a car that is serviced properly. but if one is reved at full peddle all its life...of course it will fall apart. so, to say 'a ford' is better built than all others because it lasted the longest when 5 different cars were reved at full peddle for 2000 hours in a test, is misleading. the explority study must reflect the true goal of the test. in this case, it would appear it would be normal wear, not extreme wear. reliability and validity must work together. proper sampling, randomization, and matching is just one part of the iceberg involved in valid tests. i should know, my bbls are subject to all these extreme rules and laws. some of my refs: the campbell and stanley experiments, (1963), practical research, wadsworht pub, 8th ed, chapman university.(1998) and again, knowing my friends attention to detail, he knows i wouldnt be bobski if i didnt light up when i saw this thread. we are both extremley precise by nature and enjoy being so! [:)]
former air operations officer SEAL Delivery Vehicle Team 2. former navy skeet team, navy rifle/pistol team member. co-owner skeetmaster tubes inc.. owner/operator professional shooting instruction.0 -
griz,
Keith Kearcher is at:
23619 Spady Way
Clatskanie, Oregon 97016
Tel. No. (503) 728-2384
May wish to call him and discuss your possible work.
At the minimum, you could ship him the gun for an estimate.
You will likely have to install tubes.
He is real. Although Turnbull does quality work, his attitude
just does not turn my crank. Good luck. 1010 -
Dave -
Just so there's no misunderstanding, Bert and I are on the friendliest of terms and love to rib each other about our tastes in scatterguns. I fully respect the quality of a Winchester, but with all due respect I decline to accept what you preach as gospel.
Understand... I don't say you're wrong, nor do I say you're right. All I'm saying is that a beautiful upland gun doesn't (nor is it likely to) get fed a steady diet of overly heavy loads. Whichever gun you prefer, these are creations of beauty and grace. The purpose is to furnish sport and enjoyment, not to kill. Thats the job of a utility gun.
I prefer Elcees because I was lucky enough to find on in the middle of a pasture when I was a kid. I employed my own hands and devices to bring it back to shooting condition and used it up till the mid 80's when it and a sibling went to Ithaca for a complete overhaul.
That old gun continues its service today, though it hasn't been shot in 20 years. It makes me smile and remember. I heft it every once in awhile and appreciate the delicate balance of the piece... And it's absolutely gorgeous!
Any gun can throw a load of shot. The difference is in just how it's done.
And by the way... Elcee's rule![;)]
Nord0 -
Nord: Bert and I also rib one another from time to time also.
As far as what I said. Pick up the book, Winchester Shotguns and Shotshells, 2nd Edition, turn to page 172.
Don't misunderstand me, eelsie, Fox, Parkers, and Ithica's are all fine shotguns, some of which I would love to own.
I can understand how you feel about your eelsie, because I feel the same way about my first Md 12. The one thing we may have to agree to disagree on, hunting, is not only for utility guns, but also of guns of much higher in grade. Of course I wouldn't take one of my Winchesters out in a heavy storm to the Duck blind anymore, maybe on a "bluebird" afternoon.
Yes I agree that any shotgun can throw a load of shot. However, for a massed produced guns that Winchester made, the barrel Quality was designed in, and followed through with being built right. "Winchester" use to claim, nothing reaches farther than a Winchester.
bobski, as far as the book went, winchester wanted to see how much punishment the Md 21 could take, and see what the competitors guns could take. Again, I just remembered I had read what Winchester had done with the Md 21 and wanted to rib Nord a little. If you want more info. you'll have find an ex employee who knows.
Regards Dave0
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