refinish an 1860's shotgun

[ftldiver]

leige belgium shotgun m/l cir:1860's
barrel is rusted pretty good and want to restore it. whats the best practice - looks like it has been browned once already - underside looks good
also looks like the wood has been refinished

 

Before you put any effort into that piece, best find out if it laminated, cast or fluid steel. Another name for laminated steel is Damascus.

CP

 

[TANSTAAFL]

If the barrel metal is without defects, the Belgians back then had some of the strictest proofing requirements of the period for muzzleloaders.

If you want to refinish the barrel, use any good rust remover, sand lightly with fine grit paper or cloth, and cold blue or brown to wants. The wood can be stripped of finish with Zip Strip or such. Some dents and dings in the wood can be raised with wet cloth and a hot iron to steam them up. Wood can be sanded lightly and then refinish with one of several stock finishes available.

Word of warning, if it has "NOT" been refinished, any antique value will be greatly diminished if one does so.

 

[ftldiver]

several hours into it over the last few days
cold blue the barrel with 5-6 coats but did not do it thick - has a great old look to it - stll see the grey steel (not dimascus)
this is just a wall hanger and I know that refinnishing it will cost value wise but it has little value in the condition it was in. I have not worked on the stok yet but so far the barrel is looking 100 times better and still hold a great antique appereance.
I was carefull to use a dremmel tool to get the rust off after and used 0000 steel wool to smooth
everything out. I have a new appreaciation for old firearms and the care necessary.