Doing a refurbish on a cousin's shotgun that has been in his family since bought new in 1910. The stock was in pieces and that is slowly coming together. Here's the question. My brother has (Southwest Forge in Summerland, BC) an outfit that does besides other things electroplating in a choice of finishes. This gun has no real collector value. I am trying to refurbish in such a way that a minimum of maintenance is required. I could get it nickel plated for e.g.. Tolerances would change as it would add some material. I am guessing it would be necessary to remove the trigger assemblies before the electroplating as it would impair their function. The trigger assemblies are still quite crisp and I am terrified to remove them for the electroplating process. Given their age if something goes sideways I will be in a real pickle. Any and all advice greatly appreciated.
Doing a complete refurbish on a family gun.
- Thread starter Bland
- Start date
Don't use Electro plating... it really isn't a good process for guns.
Use Electroless Nickel Plating
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electroless_nickel_plating
You can always shoot it as it is with the occasional clean and oil... it really isn't that hard to maintain.
Use Electroless Nickel Plating
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electroless_nickel_plating
You can always shoot it as it is with the occasional clean and oil... it really isn't that hard to maintain.
Thanks for your input. When finished it is heading back to the farmhouse to be used on occasion and ignored most of the time. This is why I was thinking of the new type of finish on the metal. Just a thought given the free service provided by my brother. I will pass on that plan, given your advice, and move on.
Plating still requires oiling. Or at least a layer of a good quality protective wax. And since the internal parts need oiling for lubrication you're just best to use oil inside and out. So you would not gain anything with plating of any sort.
Not to mention that plating the barrel would just look SO wrong on anything that you want to keep at least semi correct for the period of manufacture. And since you'll be looking at bluing or browning the barrel to make it as it came from the box you may as well stick with the original style of finish on the receiver.
Not to mention that plating the barrel would just look SO wrong on anything that you want to keep at least semi correct for the period of manufacture. And since you'll be looking at bluing or browning the barrel to make it as it came from the box you may as well stick with the original style of finish on the receiver.
BigUglyMan
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- New Scotland
Board member pudelpointer does rust bluing. I've been getting set up for it but it's the wrong time of year to try to rust blue a gun in my shop.
Could have it blasted and Teflon coated. .. it's a fairly low maintenance finish and its thin enough that it doesn't interfere with operations. The only colour I've used is black , it looks good and is tough .
