Severe Rust on Ithaca shotgun

Matrix · January 16, 2000, 07:42 PM

I have been given an Ithaca Featherlite in pretty rough condition. The barrell and receiver have a lot of rust. I can work the action, but the safety/trigger is frozen.
If the gun can be salvaged, I'd like to do the job myself.
What steps should I take?
Any advice on freeing the internal parts? What kind of oil should I use?
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Erick Gelhaus · January 16, 2000, 08:48 PM

A couple years ago, we recovered a pistol from a death scene on hillside. The scene itself was a few years old. The pistol was rusted shut fairly badly.

As I recall our local 'smith used some serious quantities of BreakFree & penetrating oil to free everything up- after he let it soak for a few days.

Erick

[This message has been edited by Erick (edited January 16, 2000).]

George Stringer · January 16, 2000, 10:33 PM

Matrix, you may or may not be surprised at the conditions some guns are in when brought to me. I have two in the shop right now that were found in a barn and nobody knows how long they've been there. Pretty much the same story as yours. I always soak them in Kroil. I think it's the best penetrating oil on the market. If possible I'd disassemble the gun first then give it a good 24 to 48 hour soak in kroil. Then clean as you would normally and you'll be able to tell which parts can be salvaged and which can't. Then it should just be a matter of replacing whatever is needed and refinishing. George

January 16, 2000, 07:42 PM	#1
Matrix Senior Member Join Date: December 4, 1999 Location: E. PA. Posts: 179	I have been given an Ithaca Featherlite in pretty rough condition. The barrell and receiver have a lot of rust. I can work the action, but the safety/trigger is frozen. If the gun can be salvaged, I'd like to do the job myself. What steps should I take? Any advice on freeing the internal parts? What kind of oil should I use? Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

January 16, 2000, 08:48 PM	#2
Erick Gelhaus Staff Emeritus Join Date: October 28, 1998 Location: Northern CA Posts: 2,750	A couple years ago, we recovered a pistol from a death scene on hillside. The scene itself was a few years old. The pistol was rusted shut fairly badly. As I recall our local 'smith used some serious quantities of BreakFree & penetrating oil to free everything up- after he let it soak for a few days. Erick [This message has been edited by Erick (edited January 16, 2000).]

January 16, 2000, 10:33 PM	#3
George Stringer Staff Alumnus Join Date: October 12, 1998 Location: Earlington KY Posts: 2,299	Matrix, you may or may not be surprised at the conditions some guns are in when brought to me. I have two in the shop right now that were found in a barn and nobody knows how long they've been there. Pretty much the same story as yours. I always soak them in Kroil. I think it's the best penetrating oil on the market. If possible I'd disassemble the gun first then give it a good 24 to 48 hour soak in kroil. Then clean as you would normally and you'll be able to tell which parts can be salvaged and which can't. Then it should just be a matter of replacing whatever is needed and refinishing. George