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I posted some questions on the FORUM page, but thought I would ask here also. I am looking at a Sterlingworth 12 GA with some blood pitting to the barrel...the guy at my LGS and I both agree that it looks like someone picked up the gun by the barrel with blood on his hand and didn't clean it off.
pitting on barrel
kPg09AmseSa8IPd_F2kxeoIJ6LBN3nhLjEmlNsKy4xU.jpg (4.45 KiB) Viewed 4301 times
Is this something that will keep me from shooting the gun because of weakened barrels? OR can this be removed and the barrels restored?
Hi. The picture you posted is so small its hard to determine how bad the pitting is. I'm no expert, but unless the pitting was very severe (unable to determine from the pic) I would think you can shoot the gun safely. I suppose you could have the barrel wall thickness measured to determine just how much metal is there and then you would know for sure. It also matters how far from the chambers the pitting is. Closer to the chambers equals more pressure. Maybe try and post a better pic and include a pic of where the pitting is and maybe you'll get some responses.
the pitting is about two hands back from the muzzle. I just got the gun home and it is mostly surface rust and I think it will clean up nicely....thanks for the help...the picture was on my phone and I had to reduce the size to get the picture to upload. I'll take better pictures now that the gun is home...
Pat, I think some better pics may help. Either way, if it were my gun I would draw file the light pitting out and re-rust blue the barrels and use it. However, your description of "surface" type rust may be different then mine. I don't know your level of expertise when it comes to shotgun barrels but if you have any doubt I'd take it to a competant double gun specialist and have it inspected. Ultimately, I suppose it's your fingers and face that may be in jeopardy if that rust weakened the barrels. I'd say that if unless the rust is very severe you would be fine, but that is just my non-professional opinion. Sorry to be so cautious but I don't want you taking my opinion as the reason you shoot the gun. Either way, post some better pics and maybe others will chime in.
Here's a bigger version...I was trying to keep the size under the limit so it would post.
fox rust.jpg (17.25 KiB) Viewed 4200 times
I've been a shotgun guy all my life...at least since about 10 when I went to my first turkey shoot and was hooked. Days later my dad bought me my first pump gun. I've been around weapons of all sorts since, both in the Corps and in civilian life. Always wanted a doublegun and now at the spot and time in life that I can get what I want to take out and play.
After much closer examination, the rust had only minor pitting to the barrel, with the raised rust being easily scratched with my thumbnail. I plan to remove the rust, clean up the barrels and have the rust-blued per your suggestion...I was not sure which way to go on the re-blue, but I knew that I couldn't hot blue it...the rib woulda come clean off!
Vince - would you, or anyone, have a suggestion on a smith to re-blue the barrels? This is not a job I wanna take on myself!
If it helps, as a point of reference, I've included some "before" pictures of a 12ga Sterlingworth project gun that I've been working on. The rust on these barrels looked pretty significant, but i was amazed at what came off with just some 0000 Steel Wool. With some filing/sanding I've been able to remove about 98% of the rust and pitting, and I'm planning to rust blue them myself for the experience. I've had the barrel wall thickness measured post sanding, and there is more than enough left for safe shooting. I don't have any suggestions on a good gunsmith, but I would contact one before you put any significant effort into working on them yourself. A lot of guys want control over the surface prep if they're going to be doing the rust bluing.
Mike
"Games played with the ball, and others of that nature, are too violent for the body and stamp no character on the mind. Let your gun therefore be your constant companion of your walks." - Thomas Jefferson
Pat. I think you are on the right track about that rust. If it's as light as you say, you should be fine. There are many 'smiths I've heard mentioned that could take care of your barrels. Although I've only used him for Case Coloring work, John Gillette at http://www.classicgunsinc.com/ is a top notch guy. I've heard of his services being used by many. I do my own rust bluing, but if for some reason I wanted a set of barrels rust blued, I wouldn't hesitate to send them to John.
For future reference, if you open a free Photobucket account you can post much higher res pics here without downsizing by linking the pic to your message. Just FYI.
