Restore Or Scrap

[Feltwad]

Just acquired a barn find worth vey little although there is nothing missing only the ramrod it is in very poor condition and will take a lot of restoration and in the end it would only be a wall hanger. So now I am left with the question to restore or scrap no doubt it is part of our gun heritage
Feltwad

 

[ghostdncr]

I would restore it into a nice wall hanger based on your pics, but that's just what I do. No way I would scrap an original piece like that!

 

[BrownBear]

Interesting piece!

What's with the "free web site upload" link under your first picture? I'll click on something like that 2 days and 2 hours AFTER hell freezes over.

 

[Artificer]

If it were mine, the first thing I would do is top the active red rust and turn it into black rust. Then examine it closely to see if it is actually worth restoring, or to be cleaned enough it could be displayed. However, I am not sure you all can do that with the UK Gun laws?

Gus

 

[Loyalist Dave]

Yeah I'd just preserve it, halt any further damage, and then seal it, using it as a wall hanger.

Perfect for hanging over a fireplace or for sale to a Cracker Barrel restaurant for their wall.


LD

 

[fleener]

just depends on what your time is worth. You got the time to mess with it and drive, then do it.

Fleener

 

[Feltwad]

just depends on what your time is worth. You got the time to mess with it and drive, then do it.

Fleener

Time restoration is not a problem has I have done quite a number in the past in a similar condition ,if you consider the cost it is better using the money of restoration and buy a original in shooting condition has there are plenty to be had .I will think about it only for the heritage sake and do a full restoration .
Feltwad

 

[dave_person]

Hi Feltwad,
I guess I might clean it up a little so I can see any markings but if none are readable or indicate anything other than just another hardware store double barrel percussion shotgun, of which many still exist, I guess I would not put much effort into it. I might give it to someone who wants to learn and practice restoration methods. It could be useful if you were mentoring someone to carry on your skills.

dave

 

[Claude Mathis]

What's with the "free web site upload" link under your first picture?

Fixed.

 

[Col. Batguano]

I'll click on something like that 2 days and 2 hours AFTER hell freezes over.

= The Vikings win the Super Bowl.

 

[nwtradegun]

its a piece of history. let it enjoy its retirement over the mantle.

 

[Wes/Tex]

It might be an almighty effort to restore but cleaned up it'd be a great wall hanger...or you can do what I did with a few of the ones I found. Spray paint white & gold, add a few flower decals to the stock and sell it as an "Ozark Mountain Wedding Shotgun"! :shocked2: :blah: :rotf: I got no pride...that and I sold every one I made! :youcrazy:

 

[Tinker2]

I would want to see the whole gun, stock and all but from what I do see I would say yes, restore it.
That assumes that you like to do that type of thing.



William

 

[MSW]

go for it - let the good times roll!

 

[Feltwad]

I would want to see the whole gun, stock and all but from what I do see I would say yes, restore it.
That assumes that you like to do that type of thing.



William

Has I said restoration is not a problem ,I will consider a full restoration the barrels first has they will be to part and the muzzles squared off plugs removed and bores lapped then soldered
Feltwad

 

[swathdiver]

I'd preserve it. Looks like or similar to a Westley Richards.

 

[DickS]

Bought one not quite as bad a while back. Smooth even coat of rust from end to end. No scabs, just rust. It was cheap,, thought what the heck. Started to work on it, found that every screw turned out without problems, including the nipples. Locks worked. Gave the bores a quick polish, they're fine. It is a medium quality Belgian gun that was in fine condition with clear bores when set aside for neglect to take its toll. It'll never look like much, because I'm not going to take the surfaces down to bare metal and completely refinish, quite satisfied with it as is.

 

[Rifleman1776]

Clean up. Hang on wall.

 

[Billnpatti]

Obviously, it would take a lot of work to possibly restore it to a working condition. But, if it is like you say, not worth much, then it is not worth the trouble and expense to restore it to working condition. However, it is worth doing a bit of cleaning and turning into a nice wall hanger. If you do decide to restore it enough to be a wall hanger, you might go to a museum and talk to whomever does the restoration and preservation on armor and see what they say about restoration and preservation techniques. It needs to be preserved but in a manner that preserves as much of the patina and antique appearance as possible.

 

[Feltwad]

Restoration on any antique must not be carried too far a gun that is over 150 years old should look its age not something straight of the shelf ,this applies to a gun which over the years has been so badly neglected that to some it would be scrapped.
The gun in this thread I have decided to take it out of the scrap stage and turn it into a wall hanger of what it should look like for its age .The first job is the barrels always make sure that the barrels are not loaded in case any heat is needed, first I removed most of the rust from the outside to show the Damascus which I will finish removing the rest of the rust before browning .The muzzle ends which were in a bad condition I removed about 1/8th of a inch to square then up and also shown the London proof marks.
Feltwad

After