help with a chunk of rust.

[Timmer]

need to know what you all think about this. my grandpa has this old side by side, and i kinda like it, but, well, you can see, its in bad shape. he dont even know what it is. he used to throw it over his shoulder when he had to stay at a hotel or something, just to let people know he meant business if they came a knocking

he says "you dont even need to lock your doors when you have this on your shoulder"

i like the bunny ears, and dual triggers

anything can be fixed, it just matters how much you want to spend. what is this, and what would it take to fix it up for something that looks weathered to hang over the fireplace? don't need a show piece.

 

[rcmodel]

Well, it obviously has Damascus steel barrels in very pitted condition, and for that reason alone, it is not safe to fire.
Period!

A gunsmith should be able to use a fine wire-wheel on a buffer and knock off the worst of the rust, then oil it up and rough-patch the stock to hold it together for a wall-hanger.

Shouldn't cost all that much if you can find one even willing to do it.

I'd also have him grind off the firing-pin tips too, just to render if safe for future generations.

Right now, it's a time-bomb waiting for someone to shoot modern ammo in it.

rc

 

[Snarlingiron]

YIKES!

Actually, if you (or a gunsmith) takes after it with a wire wheel, it will take off the rust, but it will take the gun down to bright metal. You may have better luck with a good penetrating lubricant and steel wool. Don't misunderstand, it will be a lot of work and will result in some sore fingertips, but it should result in more of a browned look. After you get it down to where you want it, go at it with black shoe polish. This will darken the remaining residue, and blacken the depressions. After you let it set, and buff it you will have something that looks old and weathered, but not all rusty like something someone pulled from the swamp. The wax left behind by the shoe polish will provide protection from further rust. It's an old antique dealer's trick.

As Rcmodel said, it's beyond saving as a working firearm, but it could make a nice curio to hang on the wall.

 

[Almond27]

Did your Grandfather throw it in a creek for awhile whoa that is rusty but I like it for a wall hanger it has character.

 

[Mr. Bojangles]

I like it just the way it is!

 

[rino451]

Rubbermaid tub, water, baking soda, car charger, and sacrificial piece of steel. Let it run over night and it should pull off a bunch of the rust w/o damaging the good metal. Electrolytic Rust Removal

Used this method recently on the tolerance critical parts while restoring a lathe that took a long saltwater bath due to Ike. The rest, I just hit with a wire brush.

 

[Timmer]

Did your Grandfather throw it in a creek for awhile whoa that is rusty but I like it for a wall hanger it has character.

HA! he lives 1200 feet from the Atlantic Ocean, EVERYTHING down here rusts!!

i had a feeling it was too far gone, the bore looks like the moon. what we need is one of those gun buy-back's for 100 bucks or something )

what make and models have bunny ears like this one? id like to have a shooter with bunny ears

 

[jpatterson]

I'd say that restoring it to the best of your (or a gunsmith's) ability is your grandson-ly duty!

 

[PJR]

Put it on the wall. This gun has been abused and there is no other future for it.

 

[rcmodel]

Actually, if you (or a gunsmith) takes after it with a wire wheel, it will take off the rust, but it will take the gun down to bright metal.

Actually, it won't, if you or the gunsmith uses the right wire-wheel.

I use a very fine wheel on guns like this that will knock off only the red rust and leave the underlying patena intact. Used with only a little care & common sinse it will clean the rust off and leave the gun looking like a 150 year old gun should look.

It is the same wheel used for carding off the red residue left from rust bluing or hot bluing, and it most certainly does not leave a just blued gun "bright metal" again.

http://www.brownells.com/aspx/NS/store/ProductDetail.aspx?p=6762&title=.0025

rc

 

[JImbothefiveth]

what we need is one of those gun buy-back's for 100 bucks or something )

I wouldn't. It is your granpa's shotgun, after all.

Well, it obviously has Damascus steel barrels

How do you tell?

 

[average_shooter]

Well, it obviously has Damascus steel barrels

How do you tell?

In the first picture, barely visible, are the words (I think) "Finest Damascus." At least, that's what it looks like to me...

 

[rcmodel]

Well, it obviously has Damascus steel barrels,
How do you tell?

In addition to saying so on the rib, you can see the Damascus welds in the rust pitting.

Note the pitts have almost a pattern on the barrels.
The softer iron rusts slower then the harder steel in the welded twist because it has fewer carbon atoms.

rc

 

[KevinAbbeyTech]

I saw one of these very guns at an auction last Saturday!

It was in slightly better condition, but not not much better, and it went for over five hundred, so I wouldn't sell it for 100.

Heck, I wouldn't sell it at all.

Clean it up, then ask a gunsmith about using (very) low velocity black powder rounds in it.

Worst case scenario, it can hang on your Grandpa's mantle.

 

[rcmodel]

about using (very) low velocity black powder rounds in it.

Bad idea!
It is obvously very worn out in the locking bolt & hinge pin area as you can see a very large gap in the barrel/standing breach fit.

In addition, once Damascus steel barrels are pitted that deep inside & out, there may be delaminations between the welds that could let go on the very next shot, with any low-power loads.

The gun is unsafe to shoot!
With any type or power level, of any ammunition!

rc

 

[Timmer]

This gun has been abused and there is no other future for it.

i prefer the term neglected, sense he never did go dunk it in the salt water or anything like that, or used too powerful of a shot.

its future is hanging on the wall, telling my grand children about it.

The gun is unsafe to shoot!
With any type or power level, of any ammunition!

i agree, it will never be fired by me.


so, nobody has told me a make or model of a side by side with bunny ears.

 

[chuckusaret]

I personally would not attempt to fire it. I would use very fine steel wool and penetrating oil to clean the surface rust and then hang it on the wall.

 

[RDak]

Hey, clean it up like guys said with steel wool, oil, mineral spirits, etc., and some elbow grease.

That's your grandpa's gun!!

If you can get the parts apart, a good soaking in an Ed's Red type of solution would work wonders IMHO. That shotgun looks like it locks up pretty good IMHO. That brush RC suggested will do the trick if you have a grinder.

Like the other members said, try and get some low powered black powder shot shells for it.

I'd love to make a project out of that gun!! You should too.

Take a look here:

http://www.republicmetallic.com/SHOTSHELLS.html

http://www.ows-ammo.com/catalog/product_info.php/cPath/31/products_id/1265

 

[Zipperhead]

On the rib near the breech it appears the have the letters "MEACHAM". If this is indeed correct, you may have a double barreled shotgun circa 1880's. This link may be helpful:
http://www.thefirearmsforum.com/showthread.php?t=47751

RC Model is indeed correct: This gun should never be fired. Period. It will hurt somebody, and not the body it is pointed at.

Zip

 

[rjsixgun]

get a PVC tube with end caps that will fit the gun, soak the gun in deasel fuel for a a few weeks. Rub down with steel wool and repeat the soak in deasel fuel.

 

[Covey Leader]

I like it just the way it is!

Me 2....It has character

 

[Gordon]

I would soak it in diesel fuel for a week, then rub it out with 0000 steel wool soaked in Marvel Mystery Oil. The Kerstan type cross bolt is a strong breeching system . After it is cleaned up it MAY lock up tight. Navy Arms sells black powder 2.5" shells for it , as do others. Tie it to an old car tire and fire it one barrel at a time -twice with a string and you behind cover (and the thing pointed in an entirely safe direction-of course!). Then check for stock splitting ect. Clean it and keep the rest of the box of shells just to say you can!

 

[Timmer]

Navy Arms sells black powder 2.5" shells for it , as do others. Tie it to an old car tire and fire it one barrel at a time -twice with a string and you behind cover (and the thing pointed in an entirely safe direction-of course!). Then check for stock splitting ect. Clean it and keep the rest of the box of shells just to say you can!

dangerous!! you guys are bad for me pops wants to do just that with a few sand bags laying over and around it LOL!

 

[PJR]

The people who are suggesting the owner fire this rusty piece of crap that was once a shotgun are recommending a potentially dangerous act. But I suppose it's easy for them because there's no risk of put their own fingers and face on the line in the process.

The pictures show the stock is cracked on both sides behind the locks. They also show the gun is well off the face, the barrels are pitted and made of damascus which is a dangerous combination with ANY shell blackpowder or note. To imply this gun could or should be fired is irresponsible.

Hang it on a wall. It's day was done long, long ago.

 

[Gordon]

Well at least if you do the irresponsible act I suggested , do it on the 4th of July!