Inherited Handguns from My Gun Collector Dad

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Many Thanks

You guys know your stuff on here. I am impressed. Well, I have been typing up all this info and if I had the energy would pull out some long guns that are likely not valuable but go back to my great grandfather. My grandfather was born in 1901. However, they have rusted some and plan to really research getting the rust off. Ordered a bunch of gun socks, Cabelas.... never heard of such and went to wal mart today and have dish drainers...lol I am curious of the purpose of the upright position?
 
As for that rust... DO NOT use a wire brush or anything else that will harm the finish of the guns. They are more valuable with the "patina" intact than clean. If it's surface rust that needs to be removed that can be done fairly easily. But a good gun oil like Remington Gun Oil and buy some 0000 Steel Wool. Drench the Steel Wool with gun oil and lightly rub the effected areas of rust. You will be able to feel when the rust is gone and you are rubbing the barrel. It will feel very smooth under the Steel Wool, then STOP. Do that to all the rusted areas, wipe the gun clean and then apply a light coat of fresh Gun Oil, wiping off the excess. That should put your guns in good shape without doing damage to the value.

Take is slow and allow your 13 year old to help. It will help him feel like he's invested in those guns that Grandpa left...
 
Lawboy, questions

I appreciate all of he advice and am printing it and will use it. In regards to gun shows, I really regret not going in more with Dad. Last year I should have realized when he was too sick to go to a local gun show it was bad.
In regards to writing smith and wesson, I like the idea alot, will google for more, but I am unsure where to do this at.

In regards to cleaning, thank you so much. Yes, my son is so excited about helping me. He is a chip off the old block, like dad, prancing around in prone position or weaver stance...lol ready to get a deer or whatever moves. lol He has a natural talent with a rifle, pistol and bow. He was taught by the best on the guns, ... grandpa.

Going to pick up the guns Saturday and bring them to their knew home. It is a long drive and they have come a long way already. I hope Dad can know that they will be well cared for and cherished. I also found out, he shot them alot, enjoyed them. They are also in pefect condition according to the dealer who received them.

Thank you all again,
Jeannie
 
The dish drainers hold the pistols upright and separate so you can store more of them in a smaller space, with a light coat of oil. Many do not like to store pistols in a gun rug type of case, as they can absorb the oil from your pistols.
 
Jeannie,
I'm sure everyone here is happy to help you. We are all gun lovers and would jump to help another gun lover.

Don't make a stranger of yourself around here. I've been here for a lot of years and still manage to learn something new almost every day.
 
The dish drainers hold the pistols upright and separate so you can store more of them in a smaller space, with a light coat of oil. Many do not like to store pistols in a gun rug type of case, as they can absorb the oil from your pistols.
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Also, zip up cases, especially with wool liners, trap moisture and will rust a gun shut with enough time. I've seen many beautiful gun or rifle destroyed from being stored long term in a zip up padded case.

Storing the guns upright is along the same lines, if you lay them on their side they will trap moisture between the gun and what they are laying on (usually a foam & felt padded surface. Storing the upright allows air to circulate around them and allows for no trapped moisture.

I can't tell you how many 40 year old revolvers I have bought cheap because they were stored for 38 years sitting on their side in a night stand or sock drawer. 1/2 the gun is near mint the other half is mising blueing and lightly pitted. They still shoot great though :)

BTW, I love innovative idea's and the one about using a drying rack is awesome!
 
PS: If you go to a gun show do yourself a favor and don't bring any guns with you. You'll be swarmed buy people offering you half of what it's worth. If you do bring a gun to fit a holster or something, have it checked at the door and keep it out of sight until you get to a holster you want to try.
 
I'm very sorry for the loss of your dad. I myself have three daughters, but I'm already obsessed with dating and setting the value on my firearms so they will know what they have when I head off.

In regards to cleaning, thank you so much. Yes, my son is so excited about helping me. He is a chip off the old block, like dad, prancing around in prone position or weaver stance...lol ready to get a deer or whatever moves. lol He has a natural talent with a rifle, pistol and bow. He was taught by the best on the guns, ... grandpa.
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That's great, what a wonderful way to do something constructive and educational for both of you, and bring you even closer to gramps.
 
Oldestdaughter, if you are driving to Alaska to pick up your Dads guns, you must be going through Canada, so you should check the laws reguarding transportation of such firearms through Canada, as they can be a bit sticky. If this is not the case, never mind. LM
 
Trying photos/rifles

Well, I have to wait two more weeks to get the handguns. Long story but it is life, I have a busy one and they are in good hands for sure. However, under my bed I had these, and one was under Dad's bed. Not sure if yall want to see rifles. Some are new I think and some may be worthless, not sure. Value is not always monetary for sure. Well here goes.

First the info on the guns: I can hardly see these days :)
Stevens, 22 short long or long rifle only as automatic (these are the specific words) Springfield, U.S. Stevens arm co. Model 85 patents 20945xx 22247xx 22230xx RE225xx 22715xx
This was my grandfathers so it interests me alot. I even found the tape that said Pawdee on it (what we called him and remember Dad last year making a point to make sure I knew who it belonged too)

The stainless S&W was wrapped in a t shirt under in Dad's trunk-30 (I think... CTG long 356xxx

One of the rifles has a monogram ERA made in brazil ?? go figure, 654xxx
 

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I am lost

It appears I can only do two photos at a time.... so here goes
 

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Ridiculous

I wish I was not a child of the 80s... bear with me.
 

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a few more

I can't even remember which ones I submitted. Thanks for any help you give this crazy gal.
 

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Some of your pictures remain thumbnails hard to inspect but from what I can tell..

Post #36
Colt Python. Appears in Very Good to Excellent condition, a desirable and high priced gun; say $1000.
Stevens model 85. Very ordinary .22 rifle in Good condition. The markings mean it will shoot .22 long rifle as a semiautomatic and shorts or longs as a manually operated repeater. Not a very important capability any more, shorts and longs are too expensive.

Post #37.
Some sort of Smith & Wesson Hand Ejector, nickel plated, not stainless.

Post #38
Python with box. See above. Is this the same gun or did Dad have more than one of the type? Some people will pay more if it comes with the original box.
Single shot shotgun, probably the Brazilian job you mention. Not real valuable.
Three guns in too small a picture; appear to be a pump action shotgun, a bolt action .22 rifle, and a single shot shotgun, maybe a Stevens.

Post 339
A Python again; looks like the same as in the first post above.

Post #40
There are a lot of Stevens (owned by Savage) shotguns. Is it the single shot in Post #38?
 
yes single shot

The python is in its original worn box. A good story with this gun as I won many a meals and coolers off of a Colt Python. When I was about 23, I was shooting in all I could, living off of about 7,000 per year and just out of college. Dad handed over the holy grail of accurate guns in my humble opinion. My partner and boss age 64.... well, we totally brought home the bacon. Well, about five years ago, Dad produced this gun. He said, "honey it is not the same gun, but it is special, take care of it" I insured it the next day.

Thanks to all of you gun lovers I am learning the things I should have asked Dad. The photo thing is difficult. I am most interested in the 85 model .... it was special.
 
The Stevens .22 Short, Long, Long Rifle is very similar to my Dad's .22 rifle, the one that I learned how to shoot with. Mine was tube fed rather than magazine, but it was a great rifle. Just meat and potatoes, but brought home lots of squirrels and bunnies. My brother has my Dad's rifle, but I managed to find a good specimen at a gun show. Not Dad's rifle, but it still brings back memories when I look at it. :)
 
oldestdaughter said:
Well, I finally brought the babies home... I am trying to find a way to post them. I sincerely appreciate your input I have them on photo bucket but can't get them here???
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Congratulations, I hope you have many years to enjoy using them and remembering your father.
 
photo bucket

figured it out.

http://s1233.photobucket.com/albums/ff393/oldestdaughter/

I am super interested in the model 14 and 18 as he shot them alot and kept them for years.

Thanks again for everything. I am typing up all information and laminating cards for each gun, their worth, their story and mine, .... meaning how they came to me. I hope that those after me will cherish them like Dad did.
 

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On preserving them, Renaissance wax is the way to go. It's currently used by most major museums to preserve their metal artifacts. A tub of it will last you quiet a few guns.

-Jenrick
 
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