skeptical_in_Ohio
Member
Hi all-
From time to time I visit a local shop (pawn or used rifle seller) to see if there's anything there needing a little TLC and perhaps a rescue. So far, I have recovered and returned to the living a Western Field 59a (aka Savage 6a or Stevens 87a) that had extraction issues (replaced a part or three and cleaned/lubed it) and a Marlin 989M2 that literally was only missing a nut to screw down the trigger guard and had a crack or two (easily glued) in the handguard. Both were acquired for under $150, and now they shoot nicely.
A couple of weeks ago, on my birthday, I went to a local pawn shop and saw something intriguing. On review it was a Browning BL-22 that later research revealed to be from 1981. It had apparently been laid on its side and allowed to rub against something that scratched up the stock badly both on the butt and forearm, scratched the aluminum tube and barrel bands, and even put a bad spot on the barrel (see pictures) and lever (no clear pic but it had some scratches with a bit of rust in them. Shame actually, because the action was tight and it otherwise seemed in excellent condition.
Even in that state I couldn't get the price down to my normal comfort zone on price. It was $375 out the door, which I guess wasn't awful given some of the stuff I've seen on Gunbroker in worse condition and with higher ask prices).
So. The finish was destroyed, so I figured I'd sand it down a bit to see how deep the scratches were - they went all the way to the wood. Hence, I completely removed the finish using a combination of Citri-Strip, elbow grease, and sandpaper to take off the remnants. I also sanded it with 220 mainly with a touch of 400. I rubbed some steel wool on the barrel scratch and cold blued it. along with the end of the mag tube. Then, I fine sanded and painted the aluminum bands. Finally, I rubbed Formby's Tung Oil mixture into the wood before reassembly. It shoots well as expected. Some progress and the finished product are in the next pictures.
Hopefully I've done right by the little rifle - I just hated seeing it languish after having been abused by some previous owner. I probably will need to do some more Tung Oil in the not too distant future.
From time to time I visit a local shop (pawn or used rifle seller) to see if there's anything there needing a little TLC and perhaps a rescue. So far, I have recovered and returned to the living a Western Field 59a (aka Savage 6a or Stevens 87a) that had extraction issues (replaced a part or three and cleaned/lubed it) and a Marlin 989M2 that literally was only missing a nut to screw down the trigger guard and had a crack or two (easily glued) in the handguard. Both were acquired for under $150, and now they shoot nicely.
A couple of weeks ago, on my birthday, I went to a local pawn shop and saw something intriguing. On review it was a Browning BL-22 that later research revealed to be from 1981. It had apparently been laid on its side and allowed to rub against something that scratched up the stock badly both on the butt and forearm, scratched the aluminum tube and barrel bands, and even put a bad spot on the barrel (see pictures) and lever (no clear pic but it had some scratches with a bit of rust in them. Shame actually, because the action was tight and it otherwise seemed in excellent condition.
Even in that state I couldn't get the price down to my normal comfort zone on price. It was $375 out the door, which I guess wasn't awful given some of the stuff I've seen on Gunbroker in worse condition and with higher ask prices).
So. The finish was destroyed, so I figured I'd sand it down a bit to see how deep the scratches were - they went all the way to the wood. Hence, I completely removed the finish using a combination of Citri-Strip, elbow grease, and sandpaper to take off the remnants. I also sanded it with 220 mainly with a touch of 400. I rubbed some steel wool on the barrel scratch and cold blued it. along with the end of the mag tube. Then, I fine sanded and painted the aluminum bands. Finally, I rubbed Formby's Tung Oil mixture into the wood before reassembly. It shoots well as expected. Some progress and the finished product are in the next pictures.
Hopefully I've done right by the little rifle - I just hated seeing it languish after having been abused by some previous owner. I probably will need to do some more Tung Oil in the not too distant future.
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