My project I just started

[Elkhunter1]

I got an older H&R sportsman double action model 999. My grandfather gave to me because it was all rusty; it only had the barrel, cylinder, receiver, and the one piece handle with it. I did electrolysis to it and got the rust off of the metal. However there is pitting on it, mainly on the barrel of it (rifling’s came out pretty clean and no pitting). I wanted to share what I’m doing and also ask if you guys think it would be worth sanding the pits down and maybe risk losing more of the engraving then already has been lost? (Blueing is gone from electrolysis).

 

[tark]

That is a daunting project you have before you! Your pics are excellent. I see some missing screws but the one I do see looks to be in " un-buggered " condition, but do you have the rest of the gun? This looks to me that a monumental amount of effort would be required to make the gun functional again. If you do have the complete gun, most of the small internal parts may be unserviceable. Removing that level of pitting from , say, sear surfaces would render them unserviceable.

But if you chase a restoration, please keep us updated.

B.T.W. the rifling in the barrel was doubtless protected by the hard waxy coating that .22 cartridges have been coated with since the dawn of time... There is an old saying: "never clean the bore of a .22. "

This is why...

 

[Elkhunter1]

Yeah I don’t have anything but the barrel, and receiver, cylinder, plus the handle. I’m not sure, that the one screw that is on it is actually the right screw although it is the same thread it seems to long for the design of the gun; but I will see that later on.
I have some free time here and there and this would be a good way of using it. I found one website that looks like it sells all the guts of this gun.

 

[tark]

Go for it ! Keep us updated... and welcome to the monkey house! This is the best forum out there...

 

[Elkhunter1]

I did a pulmonary sanding on it. But I’m not going to do any more until I get myself an engraving punch; to try and deepen the stampings on it. (Before and after the pulmonary sanding)

 

[Gordon]

Cerokote it which will cover a lot of a thick coat. You don't have the internal parts ?

 

[Elkhunter1]

Good idea. No I don’t have any of the internal parts for it. But I did find a website called jackfirstinc.com that seems to have most if not all the parts I need.

 

[Gordon]

Try Gun Parts Corp. First the Jack First. Also E bay with a search for H&R 999 .You will only find parts and junk , but many guns as parts.

 

[1KPerDay]

I did a pulmonary sanding on it.

That must have just about given you a heart attack!

 

[doubleh]

Since pulmonary means have to do with the lungs I will admit seeing the condition of that revolver made me take a deep breath. If it were mine it would get a light sanding job, cold blued, and replaced grips even if I had to make them and then kept as a keepsake from my grandfather. Ceracoating would be an insult to something that old.

 

[Dan Wesson]

You have already taken the plunge by using electrolysis & sanding it— I would say you are committed now.

Unfortunately, had you chosen to CONSERVE it, you might have had better luck. (See Mark Novak’s YouTube channel—Anvil Gunsmithing— many, many helpful restoration videos)

https://youtu.be/rShG_F85W1Y

But… you’re on a different path and I wish you luck turning your memory into something you can enjoy!

 

[WestKentucky]

Gunbroker has a group of sellers that get guns from buybacks and police seizures, they destroy the serialized part and sell the rest as a repair kit. Search for Gunbusters and you will find them. Parts for those guns pop up somewhat often and sell cheap.

 

[Elkhunter1]

You have already taken the plunge by using electrolysis & sanding it— I would say you are committed now.

Unfortunately, had you chosen to CONSERVE it, you might have had better luck. (See Mark Novak’s YouTube channel—Anvil Gunsmithing— many, many helpful restoration videos)

https://youtu.be/rShG_F85W1Y

But… you’re on a different path and I wish you luck turning your memory into something you can enjoy!

I had considered that but do to the heavy pitting in some areas I decided to go with the route I went.

 

[Mk-211]

That's some major pitting, just getting it shooting again, is probably the best option.

That will take some major work, just to make it look good. Know a machinist, taking a .001 off the exterior finish, might be faster.

Working around the makers mark will take time, could be done.

 

[Mauser lover]

I wouldn't sand it or try to get the pits out of it. Also, I may have parts that you would need. Send me a PM if you're interested.

 

[PapaG]

No way are you going to drive the value any lower. Have fun.

 

[NIGHTLORD40K]

Draw-bar filing may get you the rest of the way to a decent surface.
Check out Tincanbandits gun restoration blog.

Good luck.