Fox Collectors

FoxintheHenHouse wrote:

Allen_LA wrote:Here are a few photos (the good, bad and the ugly) of the gun. The old girl is solid and has super clean bores, but the exterior has some issues (wood finish and where someone thought it would be a good idea to aggressively attack some rust areas with either steel wool, sandpaper or something else that made no sense).

Let me know what you think---should I put some restoration work into her? Thanks.

As far as restoration, the barrels would be my main concern as far as how pitted they are or even if the pitting might go clear through the barrels in places. There may also be loose ribs as a result of corrosion. If either of these issues are present, restoration wouldn't be practical, in my opinion.

FoxintheHenHouse

FoxintheHenHouse,

Thanks for the pointers. The pitting is minimal on the barrels. My overzealous "pawn shop worker" thought he was cleaning up the barrels!!! Both sets of barrels "ring" pretty well and the local gunsmith said he would not be afraid to use the gun and enjoy it. The ribs are tight,but I sure wish I could have caught the pawn shop employee before his "clean-up" job. Unfortunately, he thinks "shiny objects" are worth more than ones with a little rust on them.

Congrats on a nice catch. The pics on page 2 here show a shiny spot and what appears to be shallow surface rust on the shorter barrel set. It takes a lot of rubbing with emery just to remove a few thou of steel, but Tom (vaturkey) gave you good advice on getting the barrel wall thickness checked. If indeed only surface rust it can be worked out and "spot reblued" by a good man using a specialized rust bluing solution (not cold blue). I personally wouldn't pay the money to have one or both barrels completely reblued, which will be costly and stand out like a sore thumb on an otherwise honest gun.

I mix my own solution using an old-time formula and do spot rebluing myself but only on guns I own. Maybe some of our members will step up and recommend a gunsmith they've used who's capable of doing that work?

I also see what appear to be a gap where the stock abuts the gun frame but that just may be shadows in that one pic. frank

PS - if your barrels look better than these, you should be OK. That blue color on the muzzle end is machinist Dykem. Click twice to expand this pic.

Silvers wrote:Congrats on a nice catch. The pics on page 2 here show a shiny spot and what appears to be shallow surface rust on the shorter barrel set. It takes a lot of rubbing with emery just to remove a few thou of steel, but Tom (vaturkey) gave you good advice on getting the barrel wall thickness checked. If indeed only surface rust it can be worked out and "spot reblued" by a good man using a specialized rust bluing solution (not cold blue). I personally wouldn't pay the money to have one or both barrels completely reblued, which will be costly and stand out like a sore thumb on an otherwise honest gun.

I mix my own solution using an old-time formula and do spot rebluing myself but only on guns I own. Maybe some of our members will step up and recommend a gunsmith they've used who's capable of doing that work?

I also see what appear to be a gap where the stock abuts the gun frame but that just may be shadows in that one pic. frank

PS - if your barrels look better than these, you should be OK. That blue color on the muzzle end is machinist Dykem. Click twice to expand this pic.

IMG_2228-2.jpg

Thanks, Silvers. The depth of the issues on the two barrel sets I have does not appear to be as well weathered as the picture you provided. This definitely makes me feel better. I do not plan on doing anything drastic to my gun. I am refinishing the wood and will just blend the shiny spots on the barrel. I don't like having half a gun that looks new and the other half looking in true form. Although I am refinishing the wood, I still plan on it blending with the metal parts as best as I can manage. The gap seen in the picture is not near as bad in real life. I will post some pictures when I get the old girl freshened up and put back together.

Allen_LA wrote:

Foxnut wrote:I think you get the picture. Buy it for that money. If you don’t like post it for sale and you can make a handsome profit!!

Foxnut,

I have the problem of acquisition without relinquishing that which has been acquired when it comes to firearms. I could probably sell some for profit over what was given initially, but I am afraid I would regret it---this may be a neurological issue. It may be different if I knew someone would enjoy the gun more than me. Maybe some day I will have to give it a try, but for now, the old girl will get some special attention!!!

Thanks for the suggestion.

Allen

Allen....we all have that neurological disorder. The scientific name is “keepitis”!!! Congrats on the find!

Looking at the pics that are now on page 3, I strongly recommend that you do no refinishing whatsoever except for getting that shiny area on the shorter barrel set polished out and some spot bluing by someone who knows what he's doing. What is see is a good honest Sterly with original buttplate, not cut for a pad, and a rare factory two barrel set to boot.

The small imperfection at the top of the left stock cheek is of no concern.

Allen, the $ value reduction by refinishing may not matter to you, but imo you may some day come to regret refinishing that gun if you do it.

frank