Firearms Restoration
by Peter Koppmann
What is firearms restoration – making old guns look new? That definition is close, but not completely accurate. Restoration of anything (cars, boats, paintings, furniture – even airplanes) is the careful re-construction of that particular item to as close to new condition as possible.
The most important factors in any type of restoration project are time, price, and the skill and resources of the restorer. The factor that surprises most people is the cost of a full, high-quality restoration project. High-quality restoration takes a great deal of skill and knowledge; the ability of the restorer to deliver the highest quality restoration possible should be the foremost concern.
Refinishing vs. Restoration
The terms refinishing and restoration are sometimes used interchangeably, although there is considerable difference between the two. Refinishing is just what the name implies, applying a new finish to an existing piece with little or no concern for the underlying surface or internal condition. Think of refinishing as what you do when you repaint a room; you are basically putting a new finish over the old. Restoration is refinishing taken to the highest level.
When restoring firearms, the gun must not only look good but it must be safe to shoot. Any mechanical problems should be corrected before any other work is started. If the mechanical problems cannot be fixed at a reasonable cost, this a good time to decide whether to proceed with the restoration. Once the mechanical issues have been addressed, work on the outside of the gun can begin.
The key to any restoration project is the surface preparation of either the wood or the metal – or both. One of the most overlooked details of modern firearms manufacturing is the fit and finish of the final product. The degree to which most early firearms were finished is one of the reasons they are so desirable. In a restoration project, however, the aspects that generally receive the most attention are the preparation of both the wood and metal surfaces.
Value of Restored Firearms
For whatever reason, firearms restoration has long been looked upon as an undesirable practice. The commonly-held view is that a restored gun is not worth as much as an untouched original gun. That view would be accurate only if you could find an original gun in “as-new condition.” In most cases restoration of a firearm will improve the condition and value of the firearm – providing the restoration is done correctly.
Reasons for Restoration
Restoration offers the shooter the opportunity to own a firearm (often historical) that is as close to factory original as possible. Firearms have played an important role in shaping and protecting this country and certain models are important pieces of history that should be preserved.
In some instances, the costs involved in restoration greatly exceed the value of the finished gun. Remember, the value of the gun is what you would expect to pay for the same gun–if and when you could find it. In some cases the gun may have belonged to a family member––or hold some other sentimental value. A sentimental restoration can return a piece of family history to the current generation or fulfill a desire to own a firearm with particular significance.
Metal Polishing
The degree and direction of polish on metal parts in a restoration is one of the things that differentiate a restored gun from a refinished gun. Remember, a restoration is trying to return that firearm to as close to original condition as possible. A refinished gun may receive only a minimal amount of metal polishing before the final finishes are applied. In contrast, some restorations may require as many as 40 or 50 hours of polish time to prepare the surface for final finishing. Metal polishing, if done correctly, will never be noticed; if done incorrectly, however, the deficiency will stick out like a sore thumb.
True metal polishing is a lost art. Most people think of polishing as machine-buffing the part until you can see your reflection. Polishing is not just about making the metal shiny. The order, direction and degree of the polish are just as important as (in most cases, more important than) getting the metal bright and shiny. One of the most critical areas in the polishing sequence is the restoration of the edges. The transition between flat and round surfaces should be sharp and crisp, with the correct direction and degree of polish. The early gunmakers were masters at keeping the edges sharp, crisp and straight.
Another area where the early gunmakers excelled was the polishing of large flat areas leaving few, if any, flaws in the surface. Remember, the surface has to be completely flat, with no ripples or flaws; it’s not as easy as it may sound. The skill and talent required to correctly polish these areas cannot be understated.
Stock Work
The marriage of wood to metal is one of the most complex and sometimes frustrating aspects of gunmaking. A restoration may involve only the refinishing of the wood to return it to the correct color. It may also involve the repair of dents, scratches, cracks or splits in the wood. Some restorations may require the complete restocking of the gun, starting with a blank that must be cut and shaped to duplicate the original piece. The type of wood, direction of the grain and the color of the wood are just a few of the variables in constructing a stock from scratch.
Restocking is the last resort in the restoration of a firearm. If the original wood can be saved it can significantly reduce the cost of the project.
The new stock must be cut and shaped from a block of wood, then married to the action in a process known as inletting. Once the inletting is complete, shaping the stock – an art – to final dimensions can begin.
Once the stock has been shaped, sanded and finished, the process of checkering can begin. Checkering is the cutting of lines into the wood to form small diamonds so the shooter has a textured stock surface to grip. Checking comes in many shapes and styles, from basic to elaborate patterns with carving; in some cases ebony, brass, and gold – even ivory – may be inletted in and around the checkering. Checkering can add great beauty to the stock as well as being a truly functional part of the gun.
Metal Finishing
Metal finishing comes in many different variations. We are all familiar with the bluing on a gun. But did you know that bluing comes in many different varieties and color shades and is specific to certain parts of the gun? For example, Winchester rifles used three different types of bluing on rifle and shotgun barrels throughout the years. The original gunmakers, to harden steel, used color case-hardening. Today we use its vivid colors and unique patterns on the frames of shotguns, rifles and handguns.
Without going into the specifics of each process, the biggest mistake do-it-yourself gun restorers make is using the wrong finish for a particular firearm. For example, one of the simplest methods of bluing is hot bluing, also referred to as salt bluing. Hot bluing is used by almost every modern gunmaker because it is very easy to do and requires only a small amount of specialized equipment. If you can read a thermometer, you can hot blue! The problem is that hot bluing was not used until the mid-1940s. One of the most common mistakes we see as professional gun restorers is the incorrect use of finishes on vintage firearms. That said, some guns were reblued before they became so highly collectible.
Do-It-Yourself vs. Professional Restoration
Most firearm owners do some form of gunsmithing at some point. One of the most important things to remember about working on your own firearm is to know your limitations and to be careful. The last thing you want to do is something detrimental to you or the firearm.
aIf you decide to restore your own firearm, pay attention to such details as wood-to-metal fit, direction and degree of the metal polish, barrel and frame markings (these may need to be re-cut or re-applied) and, of course, the correct final finishes. The restoration of a firearm can be a very satisfying and rewarding undertaking, whether you chose to do the work yourself or have it done by a professional. The reasons for restoring firearms vary greatly. Maybe you want to restore your father’s old gun, or you just like the look and feel of a classic firearm. Whatever the reason, firearms restoration is a great way to preserve these important pieces of history for future generations. *
Author Peter Koppmann is the shop manager at Turnbull Restorations, which specializes in the refurbishment of American firearms made from 1870 to 1940; to include Colt, Winchester, Marlin, Parker, Fox, L.C. Smith and Ithaca. Specializing in historically-correct metal finishes, including bone color case-hardening, charcoal bluing, rust bluing, nitre bluing and hot bluing, Turnbull Restoration also offers complete metal polishing services and has a complete wood department for restocking and repairs – all under one roof.
