How can you tell if a rifle has been in a fire?
How can you tell if a rifle has been in a fire? Are there any "tell tale" signs to look for? What would make a nickle steel barrel and magazine tube have very small "warts" on the metal finish?
Thank you,
Taperloc.
Thank you,
Taperloc.
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I'm no expert by any means, but just a poor nickel plating job can leave "warts". 
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if almost any kind of steel that has been in a hot enought fire (+1000 deg F) it will develope 'scale'. "warts', flaking, a 'washed out' looking blue color are a sure sign. (speaking from sad experience 100 + guns in house fire). any steel that has been this hot is junk, the only possible exception would be a very strong action used with a very mild cartridge (I had one of my martini .22's re-casehardend). 0 -
Agree w/ above. Another aspect is the stock. Is it a 3rd party stock or standard (original) issue? A 3rd party stock would add to the suspecion that the rifle had been in fire as temperatures high enough to effect the steel finish would have damaged/destroyed the stock. If the stock is standard for that rifle what is it's condition relative to the action/barrel? If both appear to have relatively the same wear signs that could be an indicator that it was just a poor plating job.
Next, about this plating; I'm asusming that it is an aftermarket job, if factory job I'd be leary of it, unless this is an "el cheapo" make (as you didn't mention make or model, etc.) which I would be leary of on general principal.
Lastly, what is the sellers story?
If this is a major brand and your not sure of the origin of the plating job, etc., let us know the make and model. Also, pictures would certainly help.
If you only have time to do two things so-so, or one thing well ... do the one thing!0 -
Gentlemen, Thank you for your response.
This is a Winchester nickle steel rifle, not nickle plated.
I purchase it on gunbroker about 10 days ago.
When I received the gun, it had a dark blue-black coating on it. This was not menctioned in the gunbroker description. I tried paint stripper, oven cleaner etc. and nothing would remove it I decided to draw file it. The coating clogged my file, so I used 80 grit sand paper which removed the coating. that's when I noticed the "warts".
I went ahead and did the draw filing to remove the "warts".
The butt stock does not appear to be original to the gun, but the forarm does. The were no "warts" under the forarm and only a few on the receiver.
What do I do now???
Any commments further comments would be appreciated.
Thanks again,
Tapperloc.0 -
I think your efforts to remove the coating may have been your undoing as the seller can now claim the gun is not in the same condition as when it was sent to you.
When you saw the coating you should have left things be and contacted the seller.
I'm sorry to say it, but, you may be in a position where you have no recouse.
But, maybe one of the other members has some experience/advise that could help you resolve this with the seller as, considering the camoflage I don't think I would trust this rifle.
If you only have time to do two things so-so, or one thing well ... do the one thing!0 -
I'm 100% in agreement with Contender Man. Even without the damage that you have done with your file/sand paper, the usual return period of 3 days has gone by.
However, you still have some leverage left: feedback. I would just send an email to the seller, explaining your reasons for being dissatisfied (& describing the damage you did). Then ask if he would be willing to accept it back for a refund, just to make things right. (Of course, you will probably need to "eat" shipping costs both ways.) Hopefully he will be anxious to maintain his good feedback record & do whatever is necessary to make you happy. If he won't, you're out of luck, but your negative feedback will give you some satisfaction.
Neal0 -
Gentlemen,
Thank you for your input. I think I'm stuck with this carbine.
The damage was to about the forward 10" of the barrel and magazine tube. under thr forarm and the receiver was O.K. It function perfectly. There is no warpage to the receiver and no sign of problems to the rear half of the barrel. The internal seem fine. I'll probable junk the barrel and receiver and use the rest for spares.
Thanks again,
Taperloc.0 -
One other thing concerning damage due to fire: Smoke from a burning house is highly corrosive. Metal exposed to smoke will begin rusting immediately after a fire. That's why it is important to thoroughly apply oil to guns, tools, etc. as soon as you can get to them.
My humble 2.5-cents worth,
Rafter-S
"What is truth? No wonder jesting Pilate turned away. The truth, it has a thousand faces -- show only one of them, and the whole truth flies away! But how to show the whole? That is the question."
--Thomas Wolfe, "You Can't Go Home Again" (1934)0
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