Breaking down an 8 guage, How?

[Tom Underwood]

I am a little embarassed to ask this but I cannot get it apart. Forearm off but barrels will not seperate from the frame. Wife says that I am like a bull in a china shop so I thought I had better seek help. Serial number 118497, 1903.
Tom

[ch]

With the forend off and gun empty (I know you new that) pull both triggers then try. With it open squirt a little wd 40 down in there. Tell me if it works I know that has been descused before but i'm not sure what your are supposed to do. ch

[Bill Murphy]

Yup, that's the first trick to try. Don't just do it once before you give up.

[Tom Underwood]

Thanks to you both. I left wd40 in it overnight and in the morning it almost fell apart. I believe, well pretty certain, that someone cold browned the barrels in the past. Nice job but the damascus pattern cannot be seen. I am not sure how valuable the shotgun is so would it be worth sending the barrels off to be redone or just remove the browning and let it shine? The rest of it is fairly nice, no colors but nice, clear engraving. Opinions would be appreciated.

[Autumn Daze]

Tom, How about some pictures?

[StubTwist]

If it were my gun, I would get the Damascus barrels restored black and white to it's former beauty.

[Travis Sims]

Is the browning consistent or spotty? Faded in some areas or brown through out? If done correctly they could be etched and then boiled to turn to back then etch again to a nice finish. Maybe!

[Tom Underwood]

Originally Posted by Travis Sims

Is the browning consistent or spotty? Faded in some areas or brown through out? If done correctly they could be etched and then boiled to turn to back then etch again to a nice finish. Maybe!

Browning is nice and even throughout. How do you etch them?

[B. Dudley]

Would this be a hammer or hammerless gun? If hammer, you have to move the barrels back toward the breech when opening to allow the check hook to clear the pin. If hammerless, then your slide in the base of the trigger plate is gummed up. This allows the cocking look to come away from the cocking cam when the forend is off. Penetrating oil will help here.