Family heirlooms

[Velifer]

Long story short, I received several guns from my parent's house. Four shotguns (one with parts missing) had been stored unattended for decades in a closet of the breezeway where they were exposed to high humidity. When I first saw them, I automatically assumed they were ruined. They were taken home and put into another closet for 3 more years, until I started learning basic gunsmithing after my retirement.

The single shot 12 gauge is a Lefever that my father had customized in the late 1960s (more about that later).

There was also a Winchester model 1897 pump 16 gauge shotgun (more about that later).

What I really need research help with is the double barrel 16 gauge "German Shotgun" that was probably made in the 1920s. Apparently there were a lot of gunsmiths making guns in Germany at this time period. Various proof marks and the words KRUPP STAHL and KOLN SUHL are stamped onto the gun. This is the bottom gun in the photo I posted. More photos will be posted later.

A second German double barrel was in pieces and was missing parts. The stock don't fit either gun. I think my Dad bought a box of shotgun parts as a project many years ago. The top incomplete gun in the photo shows how all of the guns looked when I first got them. I only got a "before" shot of two of the guns. The bottom gun is after my "restoration" efforts. I figured the guns were already ruined, so I couldn't possibly make them any worse. I learned that 0000 steel wool is my best friend.

 

[WestKentucky]

That’s truly a world of difference between the two guns pictured. I can’t offer any help on the German guns but the bottom one is pretty, especially compared to the other one.

 

[drk1]

Congratulations! You've done an great job. As you mentioned, 0000 steel wool can do a world of good, but it can also remove more than you might want to at times. Add some "bronze wool" and and "RIG" to your tool box. Bronze wool isn't as aggressive as steel wool and when combined with the RIG, it will get rid of most light, surface rust without doing a great deal of harm to the finish. Good luck and lets see some more pictures.

 

[Velifer]

Thanks for the kind words.

TOP: Here is another photo of the Ithaca Lefever cleaned up (more work was done after this picture was taken) and BOTTOM: a "before" shot of the Winchester 1897.

The top gun in the photo was Dad's pride and joy at one time. He made the stock and forend completely by hand out of a block of walnut wood. He did all the checkering by hand too. I remember he worked on that stock for a long time. He nickel plated the receiver himself. It was like a mad scientist lab in the utility room with wires and electrodes and acid bath bubbling. Dad also did his own engraving by hand. He added the Lyman screw-on choke tube adapter. This was his winter project one year back in the late 1960s. I have a lot of memories of Dad and this gun.

 

[Velifer]

Here is a photo of the receiver engraving. Rust had completely covered it. I was surprised when it began reappearing as I removed rust. I used a small amount of Hoppe's Number 9 and steel wool. The rust stained the nickel surface a little, but I didn't want to do any sanding since plating is thin and it would hurt the engraving.

 

[Speedo66]

Various proof marks and the words KRUPP STAHL and KOLN SUHL are stamped onto the gun.
View attachment 886272

Krupp is a steel manufacturer, stuhl can be steel, Koln (Cologne in English) and Suhl are cities in Germany.

Nice job of rehabilitating the guns!

 

[Dr.Rob]

As I understand it Krupp steel was a marking not only marking the mfg but also denoting modern ie not Damascus twisted barrels.

 

[Dr.Rob]

Also you can do a lot of wonders with a mix of hot boiled linseed oil and turpentine to clean old gun like this without damaging the bluing. Use a bronze brush or copper chore boy pad instead of steel wool. Mix the blo and turp 50/50 over a candle in a tin can outside til it bubbles and give it a good rub. Most of the surface rust and grime will float off the surface. Be gentle, rub don't scrub.

 

[Dr.Rob]

Hoppes contains a copper solvent that can and will flake the nickel plating.

 

[Velifer]

I forgot to mention that the double barrel 16 gauge shotgun has this stamped onto the right barrel: FRANZ KETTNER. The barrels are also stamped NITRO (which I believe means it'll shoot modern smokeless gunpowder).

Here are pics of the Winchester model 1897 16 gauge "takedown" (removable barrel). It was made in 1919 and originally had a 28 inch barrel, but at some point it was cut down to 26 inches.