Parts and/or Gunsmiting for an OLD Remmy SxS?

[Positrack]

I've got a Remington Model 1882 side-by-side 12 gauge that needs a couple parts. It's missing a hammer and one of the trigger guard screws. It's also pretty sloppy and worn, and I'd like to get a COMPETENT 'smith to take a look at it to see what could be done to tighten it up and put it back into fully functional condition. I realize it's not really a shooter due to the damascus barrels, but I'd like it to be in complete and in functional condition anyway. I've searched and searched, but can't seem to find anything much in the way of parts for a gun this old. Is there a source for parts for these old shotguns or am I pretty much SOL short of custom fabbing parts? Can anybody recommend a good 'smith who has experience working on these old shotties? To be clear, I'm not looking at spending 3 months wages on a full resto, I just want to put it back into mechanically sound condition again and hang it over the fireplace (if I ever get one...).

 

[Jim K]

What grade is the gun? Frankly, a Grade 1 gun probably would not be worth a lot of work unless it is in near new condition. A Grade 6 would be worth spending a fair amount of money on if it is in very good condition.

There are folks who work on those old guns, but they are not cheap.

Try a Google search on "shotgun repair" and see what turns up. Maybe some of the other folks will have specific names.

Jim

 

[dfariswheel]

Gun Parts does have a few parts:

http://www.e-gunparts.com/productschem.asp?chrMasterModel=0660z1883 HAMMERLESS DOUBLE BARREL

As above, there are a few top gunsmiths who specialize in antique black powder doubles, but like brain surgeons, they cost BIG, BIG bucks. They are rare enough, that I don't know of any that are still working, but they are around.

 

[Positrack]

It's a grade 3 with a beautifully-grained checkered walnut stock, fancier 32" damascus barrels, but no engraving. I don't think it's worth much due to it's condition, but my grandpa gave it to me so I'd never sell it anyway. I don't want to dump a big load of cash on it, but at a minimum, I would like to replace the missing parts. I've done a lot of searching, and haven't found much. I found one old semi-retired guy on the internet who seems to do really top shelf work, but he's seriously expensive and makes no bones about the fact that he has a huge backlog of work (as in many, many months), and he's in no hurry. At this point, I'd be happy to just find the parts for it, but I have found absolutely NOTHING as far as parts go.

 

[Positrack]

Dfaris, I didn't see your post before I posted, so thanks for the link. Mine is actually an external hammer Remmy 1882 though, not a Colt. I see they did have the Rem. 1889 listed, but nothing earlier. I've seen a few places offering parts for the 1889 and later guns, but nothing earlier for some reason. Unfortunately, the hammers are different between the '82 and '89.

Here is exactly what I've got:

http://www.remingtonsociety.com/rsa/journals/M1882

For some reason, I was pretty sure I'd decided it was a grade 3, but it might be a grade 4 since it clearly does have the Damascus barrels. However, it is not engraved, so I don't know. They talk like there was a little uncertainty between grade 3 and 4. At any rate, the numbers match on all parts, so I'm assuming whatever it is, it was made that way.

 

[Jim K]

One source of hammers is Dixie Gun Works (www.dixiegun.com); they have old shotgun hammers but can't guarantee a match. You can get their catalog or contact them. They have new cast hammers but they would take a lot of fitting even if you could find one you could make match. Their e-mail is [email protected].

Also, I would call Gun Parts; they often have stuff in too small quantities to put in the catalog.

Jim

 

[Positrack]

Alright, I'll give 'em a call and see what they've got. Thanks for the advice.

 

[dfariswheel]

Dumb.
For some strange reason I saw"Remington" and read "Colt".

Sorry.

For advice on a qualified black powder shotgun 'smith, you might give Simmons Gun in Kansas a call. They've been in the high grade shotgun 'smithing business since the 1940's and will likely be able to give some good advice.

http://www.simmonsguns.com/

 

[Positrack]

Hey, that's awesome! I'll definitely get in touch with them and get some advice if nothing else. At least it looks like they could fix me up which is good to know, even if it might end up being a "down the road" type of thing due to cost. Like I said, I doubt this gun would ever be worth too much, but that's not the point; I'd just like to see her back in good mechanical condition. It really is a beautiful old gun, and of course it means a lot to me. I appreciate the help; thanks guys.

-Clark

 

[Positrack]

Update

I E-mailed Simmons Guns, and believe it or not, the guy E-mailed me back in less than 2 days. He said they do this kind of repair everyday and I was probably looking at somewhere around $250-$400 for the basic repairs which doesn't seem too bad at all given the parts and work required. He answered me right away, seemed to know what he was talking about, and acted like he was interested in my business, so the place is lookin' good to me so far. Thanks again for the tip.

-Clark