What to do with a literal rust-bucket Stevens shotgun?

[Tactically Fat]

Long story short - this was stashed in a barn to be used as "pest control" for probably the better part of the last 13 years or so. Cleaning out the barn for change of possession - it was re-discovered.

I now have it. Stevens 67L 12ga. Total rust bucket - but not locked up. Best parts on it are the re-finished in the early 90s wood, the action arm, and the mag tube. The rest is...rough.

I do know that I don't want to put much $ into this. Even the very best examples are like $250 guns. Is Birchwood Casey's blueing stuff "good enough", I wonder? Guess that presumes that I can remove all the surface rust... I do also worry about the inside of the chamber - how I'd get that cleaned up.

I don't think I want to hack it into an 18" gun. I'm not sure that I want to spend the $200 on cutting the barrel at the mag tube; though that is definitely intriguing.

 

[snapping turtle]

Sounds like take the wood off and soak it in a parts bath tub with vinegar to see what all rust comes off.

Sometimes a rattle can spray paint refinish is the best choice available for something that is beyond a restoration project. Now it is a good practice for a restoration job if you want the experience as you are kinda out nothing in the value of the gun.

In other words do whatever you like to it as you will not harm the value of the firearm past what hard life it has already been put through

 

[Tactically Fat]

Not sure how hard a life this gun has had... Was a cheap pawn shop purchase my step dad made in the early 90's. He bought it for me to use bird hunting. I think I toted it 2-3x. He did a strip down and home-cold blue job on it back then.

I don't know where it was before it was stuck in this barn in the farm they bought 13 years ago, but it wasn't used at all.

So...yeah. Maybe I'll just get it all stripped down/cleaned as best I can and then determine what to do. I for sure don't want to even spend the $ on DIY Duracoat. Rustoleum may be what the Dr. orders.

 

[Magyars]

Sounds like a fun and educational opportunity.
Hi temp black wood stove spray paint may be an option.

 

[jwamplerusa]

Long story short - this was stashed in a barn to be used as "pest control" for probably the better part of the last 13 years or so. Cleaning out the barn for change of possession - it was re-discovered.

I now have it. Stevens 67L 12ga. Total rust bucket - but not locked up. Best parts on it are the re-finished in the early 90s wood, the action arm, and the mag tube. The rest is...rough.

I do know that I don't want to put much $ into this. Even the very best examples are like $250 guns. Is Birchwood Casey's blueing stuff "good enough", I wonder? Guess that presumes that I can remove all the surface rust... I do also worry about the inside of the chamber - how I'd get that cleaned up.

I don't think I want to hack it into an 18" gun. I'm not sure that I want to spend the $200 on cutting the barrel at the mag tube; though that is definitely intriguing.

Build a steam pot, and see what you get. You might be surprised.

https://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2023/11/12/tfb-armorers-bench-firearm-conservation-back-dead/

 

[thunderchicken]

Any pictures to see how much surface rust we're talking about?

I've cleaned up some old shotguns with some surface rust with a fair amount of oil (I used some of the Hoppe's oil that comes in most cleaning kits) and 0000 steel wool. I can't remember what year they need to be, but and old solid copper penny can work very well to help scrape the rust away in heavier spots. Just make sure it's an old solid copper penny. Flitz metal polish can work pretty well on lighter surface rust too.

 

[MCgrease08]

I soaked rusty car parts in this stuff. Non toxic, environmentally friendly, reusable and it actually works pretty well.

EvapoRust Super Safe Rust Remover 128oz 00ER0012804 | Rural King

EvapoRust Super Safe Rust Remover 128oz 00ER0012804

www.ruralking.com

Start with this and see what surface rust comes off and go from there.

 

[Winamac]

A friend of mine years ago had just such a old shotgun found in a barn. Total POS unsafe to shoot and rusted. held together with electric tape at some point in its life. He waited until there was a gun buy back and sold it for a $50 gift card, Right or wrong just throwing that out there.

 

[DoggyDaddy]

Paging @Mongo59 ...

 

[Dholcomb]

Restored an old shotgun that was in a house fire once. Gun was not directly burnt, but had been sprayed with water, covered in smoke, and sat it storage for a couple of years. Quite a bit of rust. Took it completely apart. Steel wool and oil. Put a cold blue on it. Turned out much nicer than I would have ever guessed it would.

 

[Mongo59]

If you haven't done anything to it yet but take it apart, I would recommend boiling like jwampler said. It converts the rust back to blue and is a true miracle. If you have already started scrubbing on it... too late.

If you have already started, post back on here and we can get you through this.

 

[Basher]

I hear a .50BMG fits right in to a 12ga chamber, snug as a bug in a rug…

 

[three50seven]

Knock off any loose dirt, rust, etc. Wipe down thoroughly with alcohol. Apply camo spray paint to your liking.

If the chamber/barrel is rough, chuck up a copper cleaning brush in your drill and have at it.

 

[Mij]

Let me see, what would I do with a gun I hunted with ~40 years ago? And now here it is again!

This could be interesting to follow.

Hope things work out well. Vinegar n water soak has taken off a lot of rust for me over the years, from a lot of things.

 

[Tactically Fat]

The gun that I have isn't in as bad of shape as the one in the TFB post... Maybe 1 small part is. I'll see if I can manage to attach a photo. My phone make it difficult!

 

[Tactically Fat]

I think these may attach.

 

[jwamplerusa]

I think these may attach.

Go to the Anvil channel on YouTube and look for Mark Novak's videos on conservation. I think you'll be amazed what a good boil or steam and carding can accomplish.

https://youtube.com/@marknovak8255?feature=shared

 

[Edged Tools]

oh man, with the history though I'd restore it. Who cares the monetary value.

 

[Ark]

Go to the Anvil channel on YouTube and look for Mark Novak's videos on conservation. I think you'll be amazed what a good boil or steam and carding can accomplish.

https://youtube.com/@marknovak8255?feature=shared

Exactly what I thought looking at the first picture. "This is a perfect candidate for Mark's steam process". Very light card wheel for the large areas, brass wool for the nooks and inside the receiver, boil and clean the internal parts, reoil everything and I'll bet it works great.

 

[TJ Kackowski]

I think these may attach.

That shotgun is a far cry from a "total rust bucket". In fact, it won't be an overly difficult project to restore as other have already noted. Keep us posted on your progress.