I am a newcomer to this site and it appears to be frequented by some pretty knowledgeable folks.
I have come into possession of a 1934 Fox Sterlingworth 16 ga. 28". The gun was in reasonable condition. The bores are in excellent shape, but the barrels were heavily rusted on the outside. All of the bluing was removed when I brass-wheeled away the rust.
A local hot bluer in Northern California would not accept the piece because of the danger of desoldering the barrel joints in the process. He recommended rust bluing and from another gunsmith, Classic Guns was recommended.
What do you think? Your recommendations, please.
Thanks in advance,
Radiodoc-
Bluing Recommendation
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Silvers
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Re: Bluing Recommendation
I know you asked for a bluer recommendation(s) and I hope you're okay with me taking this thread on a bit of a tangent.
If the outsides of the barrels were heavily rusted as described, there's a likelihood the bluer will have to heavily strike/emery the barrels so the bluing will look good. That in turn may create really thin/easily dented or possibly unsafe barrel walls. IME many rust bluers don't have access to a barrel wall gauge, and before sending the barrels to just anyone who someone thinks is good, you may want to check if the gent has a gauge, what his minimum wall target is, and if he will provide before and after barrel wall measurements to you. I'm reminded here of an oft-recommended "gunsmith" who is apt to do his own thing despite promises to do what is agreed to. I do not slight gents on the internet so please anyone do not write to ask who he is.
Those precautions would of course not be necessary if the barrels were not heavily rusted to begin with.
Regarding just rust bluing the barrels with the rust pits intact, I've seen that done by folks who request "satin" looking bluing to try to camouflauge the pits. I personally would not do that. Silvers
If the outsides of the barrels were heavily rusted as described, there's a likelihood the bluer will have to heavily strike/emery the barrels so the bluing will look good. That in turn may create really thin/easily dented or possibly unsafe barrel walls. IME many rust bluers don't have access to a barrel wall gauge, and before sending the barrels to just anyone who someone thinks is good, you may want to check if the gent has a gauge, what his minimum wall target is, and if he will provide before and after barrel wall measurements to you. I'm reminded here of an oft-recommended "gunsmith" who is apt to do his own thing despite promises to do what is agreed to. I do not slight gents on the internet so please anyone do not write to ask who he is.
Those precautions would of course not be necessary if the barrels were not heavily rusted to begin with.
Regarding just rust bluing the barrels with the rust pits intact, I've seen that done by folks who request "satin" looking bluing to try to camouflauge the pits. I personally would not do that. Silvers
Aan
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Twice Barrel
Re: Bluing Recommendation
Give Buck Hamlin in Pevely, MO a call and discuss what you have and what you want done. His phone number is (636) 479-4304. He has done some excellent work for me in the past and his prices are fair.