1909 VH to save
 

This is a 1909 VH 12ga, 149768. Restocked, gummed up inside and barely opens. Lot of rust, but the bores look like they might be ok. Won't cost anything to aquire really. Regardless of it being viable or not, I'll at least try to help it not become worse.

It looks to be worth tackling to me for a shooter /rainy day gun. Best of luck with it.

And i thought my beater gun was ugly...

It may clean up to be a nice shooter if the barrels are good. It sounds like the price is right. A worthy DIY project IMO. Be sure to share pics when you are done.

Thanks. I can't let it sit like it is, so I'll give it my best shot and will post progress along the way.

Back in the day Frank Pachmayr and his crew could have gussied up that gun --

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...suqnxgurk.jpeg

What does the "restock" look like. A Parker with throwaway wood is an expensive project.

Pretty nice. Great checkering, factory butt plate well fit, a few chips where the head meets the frame, and some oil absorbtion. No silver shield, but all else looks serviceable.

Soak first? If so, what substance is suggested to address some of the rust, but not hurt the soft solder? I was thinking vinegar.

BROWNELL'S STEEL WHITE
 

http://www.brownells.com/gunsmith-to...-prod1084.aspx

However, do not put any springs in this as I have had them break for an unknown reason. I put a rusty 1861 Springfield lock to soak and when it came out the mainspring had broken in half(?).

Bill, Use EVAPO-RUST. You can get it at O'Reilly auto parts store. Good stuff!

Now THAT'S a project gun for the ages. Look forward to seeing how it goes. Good on you for hopefully breathing life back into it. You gotta wonder where the hell it was stored!!

I've seen guns in that condition come from fairly open livestock barns.
Maybe the product of urine in the air?
Soaking in Evap-O-Rust will change the color to a flat black on rusted surfaces, but if it'll get a total refinish what harm is there in that? It definitely will remove proud rust... and open pits you didn't realize were there. It will, however wreck any patina one might want to preserve on a project. Your mileage may vary.

Understood.

I do not know the history of where it's been, but it was located with a rolling block, and a musket of some sort; complete with bayonets and leather sheaths.

What comes of it in the end will be more experience for me, and it's not coming at much financial cost.

Nice project, I did restored ones in shape like yours, look at my picture albums in member profile.

Acquisition didn't happen. Folks decided to leave it rusted up with the other, and to use them as decoration around a lodging.

Oh well. Here's hoping the years raffle to go my way.