12 Ga GHE

[Michael Kerr]

Hello,

Im new here and I am the proud owner of a GHE grade 12 Ga that is a family gun. I believe it has been in my family since it was new in 1911. I will know more about the history when my letter comes back.

Anyone have any good ideas for protecting my old gun? At some point I would like to get some resto work done but am very cautious about who and where I would take it.

Thanks and any help would be appreciated....

Mike Kerr

[Dean Romig]

Hi Mike and Welcome!!

You're right to take it slowly and ask questions. Ask a specific question (or several) and I'm quite sure there will be a lot of good advice coming your way.

[Michael Kerr]

Thanks Dean,

I see that the majority of the people are east coasters??? I sometimes hang out at my ranch in Montana which I see there is a small following in that state?

I would like to find someone to enhance the two sets of Damascus barrels I have. They are in good shape and have never been messed with so the cleaning should be an easy process...

I cant wait for my history lessons on this gun.....

Mike

[Bruce Day]

Fine steel wool rubbed on the barrels with a lot of Hoppes No. 9 can remove oxidation from old damascus barrels and get them as good as they can be without refinishing. If they are shiny now, there are a couple good damascus refinishers.

Here is my 1911 GHE 12ga for comparision. The wood was lightly refinished and the barrels were redone by Dale Edmonds, 816 444 2040. The G grade was a step up from the basic Parker grade, the ejectors cost quite a bit extra, and these damascus G's were considered very nice guns, and still are. I use mine a fair amount.

Yes, most members are easterners but there are a few of us out here.

[Michael Kerr]

Thanks Bruce,

My only concern is I looked at a gun with Damascus barrels and someone had over done the steel wool application and in my opinion ruined the barrels finish. I have some OOOO but wanted some input from the more experienced

Mike

[Dean Romig]

Originally Posted by Michael Kerr

Thanks Bruce,

but I wanted some input from the more experienced

Mike

Mike, not that Bruce needs anyone sticking up for him but he's one of the more experienced PGCA members there is in regards to Damascus barrels.

[Michael Kerr]

I think my comment was taken the wrong way. I totally trust the people here at the PGCA.. I had an outsider tell me to use some other methods and hearing the steel wool suggestion made me feel a little more confident in the durability of the Damascus blueing.
I appologize if my comment sounded like I was questioning Bruce's expertise...I was absorbing the knowledge here and questioning the outsiders...

[Michael Kerr]

I consider the PGCA "the more experienced"!!!

[Dean Romig]

Sorry, I misunderstood your comment.

Dean

[Michael Kerr]

Just to make things completely clear....I decided to Join the PGCA because of the expertise of the membership!!!