Rough barn gun

lbothell · Jan 17, 2023

So I received an in the white barn gun in a trade. It came from a reparable builder but it I understand correctly he apprentice did a lot of the work.. I didn’t get to see it up close and it’s hard to figure out things in pictures but I’m gonna make the best of it cause it has great parts! Now I’m no master builder someone who was could make this thing shine but for me it will look like the barn gun it is

okay so my first question is how do i finish the cast still parts? Butt plate trigger guard etc.. you can see the cast line and the butt plate has Like lugs on the back of it, is a file what you all use?? I’ll post more pictures and as more questions as I go hahaha

lbothell · Jan 17, 2023

The more I look at this gun it isn’t done all that well hahaha but again that’s okay I think it will just change the way I finish it! Maybe I’ll leave it a little rough again being a barn gun and all. If you builders have any ideas let me know I’ll post some more pictures here soon

david w · Jan 17, 2023

Yes, post more pictures. The gun is still in the white. The limited pictures says maybe it can turn out to be a nice rifle.

nchawkeye · Jan 17, 2023

That's actually how we received castings in the '70s and '80s, they were cast, and shipped...You can file them down, shape them as you like and polish with sandpaper, nothing wrong with them...

TDM · Jan 17, 2023

Congrats on your trade. Yes, use a mill file to remove the lugs and casting lines. Use the file to add a slight radius where needed like the butt plate edges. Start with 80-100 grit sandpaper, then work higher to 400 grit as you remove the file marks. After that you can polish it out and leave it all bright, or brown it, or blue it.

64Springer · Jan 17, 2023

Must have been a climate controlled barn.

That steel is as clean as can be.

Sean E Bug · Jan 17, 2023

I would use a saw on the lugs and files to smooth everything else out.

lbothell · Jan 18, 2023

You guys are great I’m appreciating all the help. Feeing a lot better after sleeping on the matter and reading your responses. I knew it needed finished but there were just things I didn’t expect. You’ll see in the pictures the bottom of the barrel is very rusty which I can sand out, was rust in the inside but I got that pretty clean and rig greased it till I can get to it. Next you’ll see the farthest lug on the back of the barrel came off.. it definitely wasn’t soldered on properly, silly question but do I really need that one? The two in the front a perfectly fine just wanted your opinion on that. The worm holes are definitely neat! Excited to see how they turn out. Lots of epoxy by the tang and some by the butt place, any care I need to take towards those areas?? The drilled hole for my ram rod is straight but he didn’t make both sides of the stock even to it so it looks off. Is a file my best tool to reshape that? I’m very limited on tools, the CVA squirrel kit I’m doing needed some filing snd stuff but not to the extent this one will so that’s why I’m asking. The lock is a nice L and R just needs stripped down and cleaned no problem there. The trigger and the guard are off as you can see it wasn’t done very well but I will say it’s a SMOOTH trigger pull so who cares. Any suggestions are welcome, remember I’m new to this so bear with me hahah

lbothell · Jan 18, 2023

Here’s some more

Eric Krewson · Jan 18, 2023

Polishing metal and getting rid of the casting marks is a tedious process; I start with files, usually small ones, transition to needle files and finally to sand paper, wrapping it around a needle file will let you get in tight places the finials of the trigger guard.

Your trigger guard should look like this when you get done polishing it.

Same for the lock.

2 shots · Jan 18, 2023

i always thought 'in the white' pretty much meant ready to finish wood and metal.

tenngun · Jan 18, 2023

Last brass I did, same process as steel

smokepolehall · Jan 18, 2023

? Is your barn gun a trade gun smooth bore. Reason i ask is the Octagon to round barrel

lbothell · Jan 18, 2023

That’s some fine work fellas!! What’s your addresses hahaha and yes I thought in the white meant the same just about ready for stain.. but maybe the good Lord wants me to learn this I know I’m enjoying it! Also it is a 20/.62 smoothbore I do love that part of it! That’s why I wanted it kinda reminded me of a good gun to have on the farm

smokepolehall · Jan 18, 2023

lbothell said:
That’s some fine work fellas!! What’s your addresses hahaha and yes I thought in the white meant the same just about ready for stain.. but maybe the good Lord wants me to learn this I know I’m enjoying it! Also it is a 20/.62 smoothbore I do love that part of it! That’s why I wanted it kinda reminded me of a good gun to have on the farm

Ah ha, that would be a nice all around smoothbore. I am in your shoes in some ways, i have worked on 2 kit projects. The last one this past Summer n Fall of a Scout .45 Flintlock.

nchawkeye · Jan 18, 2023

That gun is more of a project than most first time builders should tackle, I hope you got it at a good price...Most of these things can be worked out, the ramrod being drilled off center may be the exception, not really able to tell without having it in my hands...But, you will still end up with a serviceable gun, as long as the lock is good and you position the touchhole in the correct relationship with the lock...Honestly, some originals were pretty rough compared to the safe queens we see being built now...Take your time, do your research and good luck!!

Mulebrain · Jan 18, 2023

I usually tackle those with my bench grinder first, then file and polish

lbothell · Jan 18, 2023

nchawkeye said:
That gun is more of a project than most first time builders should tackle, I hope you got it at a good price...Most of these things can be worked out, the ramrod being drilled off center may be the exception, not really able to tell without having it in my hands...But, you will still end up with a serviceable gun, as long as the lock is good and you position the touchhole in the correct relationship with the lock...Honestly, some originals were pretty rough compared to the safe queens we see being built now...Take your time, do your research and good luck!!

I agree definitely a big piece of meat to chew! Well for me anyway hahaha that’s why I said maybe I should make it rough and simple bc that’s what it already is, definitely isn’t going to be a safe Queen it’s going to be a hunting machine but I do want it to look like a gun and not something a blind kid hacked at

sheriff john · Jan 18, 2023

If truth be known, most everyone has had a "project" or two languishing or abandoned at a certain point. Matters not the specific project - whether it be a firearm, old car, or paint-by-number Mona Lisa. Knowing when to ask for help is a good thing.

We have a local fellow with good business who basically advertises "I can fix what your husband screwed up." I hasten to add thanks to a forum member who helped me with a "paper sack job" .31 revolver. Sadly, there are projects taken beyond knowledge & skill ...admittedly guilty, I am.

Pleasant thing about the MLF ...good folks willing to jump in with honest words of encouragement and sound advice.

lbothell · Jan 18, 2023

So I shaped near the ram rod hole a little while watching the kids, I just threw a towel on the floor and put a movie on then went to work hahaha but I think it should straighten up a bit. I have more I want to take off to get it even but it’s looking more like it wasn’t shaped right then drilled crooked

Rough barn gun

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