New to me GH made in 1890
 

Just got back in from work and had a package from Jim DiSpagno waiting on me. Its a GH 12 gauge with 30inch barrels made in 1890. Serial number is 59374. Damascus Barrels, nice wood, screws are in overall good shape, though I only had one of my gunsmithing screwdriver bits with me so haven't yet been able to fully dissassemble, as the screws seem to be a bit tight. Its a 1 frame weighing in at 7lbs 9 0z, though it seems heavier then that compared to the 1/2 frame DH which weighs just over 6lbs. Matches up with the Serialization book with 30" barrels. Has the one piece hinge pin I believe.

Gun is in really good shape, barrels have some minor pitting in them, but Jim assured me MBT of 34 thousandths. F/IM, DOH 2 3/4" and DOC of 1 7/8". I believe those abrieviations are Drop of Heel and Drop of Comb? If not please correct me, it fits me good, but those are the numbers Jim sent me.

Checkering is nice and the wood is pretty with some good figure. Nice bridge between the VH and the DH. It has a different DHBP then the VH which is cool. There are some places where finish is a little worn. I could possibly put some tongue oil over it, don't think putting a layer of truoil would look right. Neck of the stock is a little dark, but it doesn't appear oil soaked to me. Barrels have some pattern still showing, but eventually I will probably refinish them. Have the VH barrels getting rerust blued currently.

The only issues I am seeing with it currently are the screws being a little tight, some rust that just needs to be cleaned out from under the extractors, and the patina of the action.

The patina doesn't really bother me, but the engraving is in pretty good condition, and the patina makes it a little hard to see. Any suggestions for this? Flitz and a frontier pad? Or Hoppes and a frontier pad?

Anyway, heres the pics. Really liking this gun.

Decent looking early GH.
Nice piece of wood on it as well. Interesting that the buttplate on it is what is typically used on 2 frame guns. But it is an early gun and some variations can be found in these. It does have the one piece pin.

It loos like it could use a good cleaning.

Unless you are planning on de-oiling and refinishing, I would advise against putting any finish over what is there since you may have issues with it taking and curing properly.

Thx Brian, I will just leave the woos alone then. I was thinking tongue oil or something would match, but if not, I will just leave it alone.

Any reccomendation for the frame to clean it up with?

frontier pad with rem oil. wipe clean after

I am a fan of the early GH Parkers and have one very similar to yours

really nice gun king..looks like a shooter deluxe to me...all you need is a box of shells....charlie

Thx Charlie.

Mills yeah, hopefully it will cleanup well and get closer to looking like yours.

That is really nice wood. I have a GH16 from the 1890's, I did have the Damascus redone, and that really makes them look nice.

Yours looks good. Mine is getting a new stock from Brian as we speak

Great GH hope it you enjoy it.