To Blue or not

Helka

Helka

CGN Regular
Rating - 100%
119   0   0
Location
Guelph,ON
I acquired a J. Stevens 12 gauge single shot shotgun at auction. based on it's Stenciling of their name it dates pre-1915. The bluing is almost completely gone. Not sure if re-bluing it will hurt it's value/collect-ability. i don't think it's very valuable as it is so not sure if bluing will hurt it's value but just want to see what the consensus is.

Shotty.jpg
 

Attachments

  • Shotty.jpg
    Shotty.jpg
    83.3 KB · Views: 222
Not particularly collectible. Not worth much. Hardware store gun at the low end of original quality. Blueing may satisfy your desires but it won't have a meaningful impact on the value of the gun, up or down.
 
Those where case hardened at the factory, value wise don't matter, If you did it your self and looked good, O.K.
If you had to pay someone , it will not pay.
Check the chamber length, if you are going to use it.
 
That is why I said check the chamber, make sure it is for 2 3/4" shells = 3 in chamber.
some have 2 5/8 in chamber, for paper shell with no crimp, so with modern ammo , the crimp is in the forcing cone = hi pressure = kick like a mule.
BTW I have spent 100.oo worth of time fixing up 50.oo guns in slow times, making 75.oo guns, for the young crowd.
 
marshall said:
That is why I said check the chamber, make sure it is for 2 3/4" shells = 3 in chamber.
some have 2 5/8 in chamber, for paper shell with no crimp, so with modern ammo , the crimp is in the forcing cone = hi pressure = kick like a mule.
BTW I have spent 100.oo worth of time fixing up 50.oo guns in slow times, making 75.oo guns, for the young crowd.
Click to expand...

Sorry. Pressure has almost nothing to do with recoil. Weight of gun. Weight of ejecta. Speed the ejecta has been accelerated to. Those are the three physical elements that combine to create the level of recoil experienced.

Increase the weight of gun with everything else the same, recoil is lessened.
Increase the weight of the ejecta with everything else the same, recoil is increased.
Increase the speed the ejecta is accelerated to with everything else the same, recoil is increased.

It’s physics. The pressure generated has next to no influence.

Felt recoil is also influenced by gun fit.

As a single barrel 12 gauge break action gun, it’s likely fairly light. That’s why it kicks like a mule.
 
Completely agree FF. Chambers and barrels should always be carefully examined on older guns and the appropriate ammunition used. Pressure spikes blow up barrels. Which I’d say is a worse problem than kicking like a mule. Lol.
 
Thanks all i had checked and it is 2 3/4. I had a snap cap which chambered well and had good firing marks.

I should also point out i was shooting slugs as my outdoor range doesn't allow shot unless your shooting trap/sleet or pattern check. it was even a low recoil slug .lol
 
Helka, when your gun was made it was almost for sure chambered for 2 1/2” shells. If it is now 2 3/4” chambers then it’s highly likely it was lengthened at some point.

When your gun was made, modern powders had not yet been developed. That really started around 1925. With those modern powders, starting with Winchester Super X, came modern pressure levels of around 11,000 psi. Your gun was made for the powders and pressures of its time. More like 7500 psi.

Doesn’t matter if it’s slugs or shot. If you are shooting modern commercial shotshells, unless it is specifically labelled low pressure, than the pressure generated is going to be around 11,000 psi

I shoot vintage guns all the time. I like my hands and eyes. I’m intending to keep them. I don’t shoot rounds that are developing pressure levels 50% higher than the 100 year old tubes were designed to handle. Especially when you don’t know the entire history of honing and polishing of the bores.
 
Thanks for the info, I don't plan to shoot it anytime soon. If I choose to then i will likely make my own low recoil ammo. Haven't got into shotgun reloading yet but willing to learn.
 
Clean up the action and barrel a bit with steel wool.
Then spray paint it with Tremcald glossy black.
IT WILL LOOK REALLY NICE and it won't rust anymore
 
Did you measure the chamber? a snap cap will not tell you much , I have a gauge, but you can easily check with a steel rule or bit of hardwood.
Just insert on side of chamber till you feel the transition to force cone, mark that spot and measure. It may , or may not be stamped on the barrel lug.
You could be right that it is 2 3/4, but over the years I see lots of old shot guns that are short chambered and the shooters don't know.
Canvasback is Correct, the weight and shape has lots to do with recoil.
I have a real nice Ithaca /SKB 500 o/u 20 ga, But I hated it , kicked more than all my 12 ga guns.
I will say, I have never shot slugs out of old shotguns, or newer ones, for that matter. That will have a tight choke I bet, Most are full.

If the gun is not pitted, and wood is solid, it would clean up easy, Doubles are a totally different ball game.
 
Last edited:
Ha! Marshall, I had one of those SKB 500 in 20 gauge and that was my conclusion as well. Kicked like a mule. Maybe they are set up to fit someone other than me but I sent it down the road. Very nicely made gun and vastly undervalued. Great quality gun.
 
I think it fit me O.K., Just shot a few rounds and it just went back on the show table, But a very well built gun.
at the time I was 6 ft, but it has spread out and settled last couple years.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom