[tube_ee]

So...

last year I inherited my Grandmother's 16 gauge "Springfield 1929 Model" 16ga single-shot. Which is almost certainly a Savage Model 94, although I haven't been able to confirm that. Numrich's website and cross-reference book don't list the gun. This was Grandma's gun growing up in North Dakota, and served as the family "trunk gun", riding around in the car and producing roadside pheasants and rabbits for the family table.

Back in the 1960's, it was taken to Japan, since Grandma had married my late Grandfather, a Marine. While there, the stock and foreend were hand-lacquered. Such things were quite cheap in Japan in those days.

Since those days, the lacquer has chipped, and the case-coloring has faded to a uniform puplish-bronze color. The front bead got knocked off somewhere along the way, and a drop of solder was dripped onto the barrel as a replacement.

I've been thinking about making it pretty. New case coloring, and a new laquer job that matches the original Japanese work in color and method.

Granted, the gun's worth less than a fifth of what I might spend on it, but I'll never sell it. I'd like to add to the history before I pass it down. So does anyone know who might provide the services I seek? Got any recommendations?

Thanks,
--Shannon

[Dave McCracken]

This does not have to be completed by Monday.

Call the folks at Brownell's. Explain the situation and ask what YOU can do to restore or at least conserve this heirloom.

Betcha they can recommend a novice friendly stock finish you can do.

This is family history now. Add some to it for generations to come with your own hands....

[gp911]

I just dropped over $350 on 5 extra barrels for an $80 (when new) NEF... If the gun is special to you and you aren't looking to sell it for profit just follow your heart on this one... I may eventually send my $399 (when new) SP101 off to Gemini Customs and spend that same amount fixing up a snubbie that is as common as they come, but it'll be just the way I always wanted it.

Life is too short to worry too much about making practical decisions regarding affairs of the heart...

gp911

[Aaryq]

If you want to spend a bunch to restore this heirloom, I would vote that you spend what it takes. It seems like that this gun is close to your heart, so spend as much as your wallet will allow to let this gun look like new.

On the other hand, I'd be willing to bet that almost every ding has a story behind it. As long as it's safe to shoot, let the gun be a story.

And kudos to ND. I'm an ND boy born and raised. What part of the state are you from?

[tube_ee]

First priority is to replace the ejector, as it sticks in the slot in the breech end of the barrel and looks pretty chewed up around the contact areas, and the firing pin, which looks worn down at the tip, and misfires about 30-50% of the time with Winchester and Remington shells. Federals go bang every time. Misfired shells have shallow primer dents, and often go off after a second strike.

I'd like to restore or match the lacquer finish, as it's now part of the gun's family history.

The case coloring is just because. That's what the gun had new, and it
s my favorite metal finish of all.

WHo does good case coloring? any ideas at all on the re-lacquering? I'd like it to be a hand-applied, Japanese style lacquer. Current color is red. I don't know what it looked like new, but it's now an orange-red color.

Thanks again, all.

--Shannon

PS: anyone make 16 to 28 chamber adapters for these guns? It'd be an ideal way to start my kids out wingshooting, when they're old enough. I find the gun pleasant to shoot as a 16, but I remember that 20g H&R Topper I had at 11, and how it kicked...

[mnrivrat]

On the other hand, I'd be willing to bet that almost every ding has a story behind it. As long as it's safe to shoot, let the gun be a story.


I'm gonna + 1 on this . I figure the old girl has earned its droopy parts and a face lift might make her look a little better - but then it won't be grandma any more ! :D