What would you do? Inherited older firearms...

[subieracer]

I just got a collection of older rifles and shotguns from a family member and there are some I want to keep, others not so much. My question is, how much cleaning/resto would you do?
Most are older 16ga 20ga shotguns from the 1930's - 1960's. I checked average sold prices and Gun Broker and most sell for between $150-250. I was thinking about just going though and using 0000 steel wool and oil to remove the easy surface rust, but leave the wood alone. I guess it's kinda like giving your used car a detail before selling it. haha. If you were looking at an older gun, would you pay more if it looked cleaned and oiled vs a little rusty from sitting in a closet for 50+ years. Here's a list if anyone is interested.

Marlin 25N 22lr bolt-action w/7rd mag

New England Firearms Handi Rifle single shot SB2 .223

Riverside Arms Co. 12ga (birdshot only) Shotgun (Pre 1965)
S/N - NOPE

Winchester Model 37 (1939-1963) 16ga shotgun
S/N - NOPE

Westernfield (Mossberg) 20ga (1965) M500/M550CD made for Montgomery Ward

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[Carguy]

Here's a video from Brownells, on rust removal.
.

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sg6ya9OURmM

 

[Knobgoblin]

The single shot .223 is interesting.

 

[subieracer]

Here's a video from Brownells, on rust removal.
.

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sg6ya9OURmM

Haha. I just watched that. Thank you.

 

[subieracer]

The single shot .223 is interesting.

I know right? I was thinking of keeping that one just cause I already have a ton of .223. It's such a short gun. Like for a kid.

 

[Knobgoblin]

I know right? I was thinking of keeping that one just cause I already have a ton of .223. It's such a short gun. Like for a kid.

I have the same.
It's a keeper.

 

[gmerkt]

The single shot .223 is interesting.

Yes, the barrel by itself will bring good money on ebay.

It's such a short gun. Like for a kid.

Might be the Youth Model. 13-1/2 inch pull (trigger to butt plate).

Re. cleaning guns to sell. I have a strong opinion about this. It bugs me no end to pick up a gun that is for sale and discover that it's dirty. For Pete's sake, if a person is going to sell a gun, it should be clean enough so the buyer can at least get an honest view of it, especially the barrel bore. This is one of my major gripes against Cabela's, every used gun that I've ever looked at for sale there needed cleaning to some degree. I've asked them about it, they at least give an honest answer and say, "We don't have the labor to spend cleaning every used gun that comes through here."

 

[subieracer]

Yes, the barrel by itself will bring good money on ebay.


Might be the Youth Model. 13-1/2 inch pull (trigger to butt plate).

Re. cleaning guns to sell. I have a strong opinion about this. It bugs me no end to pick up a gun that is for sale and discover that it's dirty. For Pete's sake, if a person is going to sell a gun, it should be clean enough so the buyer can at least get an honest view of it, especially the barrel bore. This is one of my major gripes against Cabela's, every used gun that I've ever looked at for sale there needed cleaning to some degree. I've asked them about it, they at least give an honest answer and say, "We don't have the labor to spend cleaning every used gun that comes through here."

Cool. That's kinda what I was thinking too. Not a restoration at all, but a decent clean and oil. I doubt these have been fired in almost 50 years.

 

[Nosferatu]

Win 37 has my attention at attention.

I'd just wipe off any loose rust and dirt with some CLP, punch the bores and scope them to gauge condition, then list them as is.

 

[Horn Ridge]

I would rather purchase them as is. My idea of "clean" and yours may be totally different. You may do things that can't be undone. Regardless, the buyer will likely pay the same for as is condition vs clean.

 

[Buckey]

Same here I would like to clean them myself. Someone not knowing what they're doing can cause more damage than good. Especially on old antique firearms. On antique firearms when removing original finish, you are hurting the value. I have a number of old firearms that have been sanded and scraped on to get the rust off, from people thinking they were doing a good service.

 

[Andy54Hawken]

While cool firearms...none of those in the OP are what I would call "old"...let alone antique.

That said...
A light cleaning and oiling , removal of any active rust...but not removing patina or finish is a good thing to do.
Bronze wool will be your friend here.
Andy

 

[gmerkt]

Re. cleaning guns to sell. I have a strong opinion about this. It bugs me no end to pick up a gun that is for sale and discover that it's dirty. For Pete's sake, if a person is going to sell a gun, it should be clean enough so the buyer can at least get an honest view of it, especially the barrel bore. This is one of my major gripes against Cabela's, every used gun that I've ever looked at for sale there needed cleaning to some degree. I've asked them about it, they at least give an honest answer and say, "We don't have the labor to spend cleaning every used gun that comes through here."

I should clarify this. I don't favor doing anything that will detract from collector or historic value, like steel wool and kitchen cleanser. My gripe is against contemporary guns sold in dirty condition.

 

[PNWReloading]

I watched somebody ruin a shotgun with steel wool.
I'm a fan of spraying down, wiping off rust and repeating it until (weeks or months) you no longer get orange on the wipe.

Get plastic gun bags and let them sit coated until they've absorbed oil and are rust free.

$.02

 

[Andy54Hawken]

An old wheat penny can work wonders on rust / rust scaling.
Rub the edge of the penny over the rust and it will "scrape it " away...without harming the finish.
Andy

 

[64MercurysRule]

Winchester 37 Classic gun . I have one in .410 . Simple and spectacular . GLWS .

 

[Pepe-lepew]

Scratched finish where it is obvious someone was trying to remove rust would devalue it more than just leaving it alone to me. I suggest only wiping them down with an oiled rag. Success removing rust with mechanical methods without some damage to the finish is extremely low if the rust is not softened by boiling.

 

[Lilhigbee]

This stuff is magic for rust removal. Yes it takes some elbow grease but it will not harm blueing. Cheap and lasts forever. It looks like lathe turnings from some sort of plastic.
https://www.big45metalcleaner.com

 

[jamesfaiman]

I personally am unlikely to buy a gun with much visible rust.i know it may not be a huge deal but I might not borescope it and if Im seeing rust on the outside there's a better chance of rust or pitting on the inside. Obviously take care not to do damage as others have said. But there again I'm probably more detail oriented than most. Good luck

 

[orygun]

The single shot .223 is interesting.

Cheap, accurate gun. A friend has one and it's been his deer gun for years. Has a Leupold on it that's worth a lot more than the gun is, but it's a great combo.