what to do with rusty gun

Zulu343 · May 14, 2013, 06:08 PM

I recently inherited a Winchester model 12 (1912) from year 1919. However, it has sat in a garage for 5+ years without any care, maybe longer. It now has rust on one side of the reciever - none on the barrel inside or out, minimal on other side of reciever.

I'm sure the rust is through any blueing, but hopefully hasn't pitted the reciever very much. How should I go about dealing with this - I HATE rust, and this has never been an issue with any guns I own.

jmr40 · May 14, 2013, 06:39 PM

It isn't that bad really for a nearly 100 year old gun. I know of no way to completely remove it without removing bluing also. For now I'd wipe down with oil to keep it from getting worse. On a less rare gun I'd carefully polish with 0000 steel wool to knock the surface rust off and just use it. On this one I might ask for professional help. Overall this gun looks very good for its age to me.

cvc944 · May 14, 2013, 06:49 PM

Treat the wood and metal to a nice refinish. I notice you have a poly choke on the end of the barrel, so it really isn't going to hurt the value any more to make it look new.

jaguarxk120 · May 14, 2013, 07:10 PM

If you have the gun reblued, make sure who does the work knows how to blue a Winchester Model 12. The recievers have a high nickle content and if temperatures are not held right the reciever comes out in a red/plum color.

natman · May 15, 2013, 01:52 AM

Gentle rubbing with lots of light oil and 0000 (four zero) steel wool will remove most of that rust.

You won't damage the bluing if you use oil and have the slightest concept of the phrase "gentle rubbing".

CajunBass · May 15, 2013, 06:06 AM

Personally, I wouldn't worry about it. It's almost 100 years old. I've got more rust on me and I'm not that old.

I'd wipe it down with an oily rag, and let it wear it's battle scars with pride.

Rifleman1776 · May 15, 2013, 08:28 AM

I agree with others. It is not that bad. Some 0000 steel wool and light oil. Then (I would) put some Oxypho Blue over it and enjoy.

Ricklin · May 15, 2013, 10:55 AM

I am a big fan of the Model 12. Is there a choke marking on the barrel? If it does have a choke indicated on the barrel, I say go for the 4-0 steel wool and oil, then touch up the bluing. If there is no choke marking on the barrel, disregard and seek the help of a pro.
I am pretty certain if your manuf. date is correct you don't have a Winchester factory installed poly choke. In that case it's just another Model 12 with a poly choke. Not that that is a bad thing, but the collector value is nonexistent.

Zulu343 · May 15, 2013, 12:45 PM

OK, thanks for the replies. I'll try to go very light with 0000 steel wool and oil first. Probably just leave it that way. If it bugs me too much, I'll consider re-blueing, either at home or by a pro.

I also checked out what the poly choke is. I didn't know what it was or the name of it before. Looks like it basically takes away any collectible value. (it was not factory original, the bbl does have a choke designation on it.) Fine with me anyways, I have another 'collectible' gun and every time I see it I think I'd rather be shooting it than collecting it.

From what I've managed to read, the poly choke works pretty well - I'll give it a go.

CajunBass · May 16, 2013, 04:44 AM

I can't tell for sure from the picture, I think that's not a "Poly-Choke", rather I think it's a "Cutts Compensator." Sort of a muzzle brake that you can change chokes with. They were pretty popular back in the day when a man might use one gun for everything. Man those things are LOUD. You do not want to be standing beside one when it goes off.

You talk about muzzle blast.

I could always tell when someone was using one. They make more of a BOOSH than a Bang.

I'm not sure if they came with other choke tubes or if you had to buy them, but the choke tubes just screwed in and out.

Bake · May 16, 2013, 01:32 PM

I would give the Model 12 a light coat of "Ed's Red", and shoot it intill it falls apart. Its deserve "no-less". Never judge a Model 12 by its blue job, but by its "Hits" and its action ("Best Pump" ever made)....

Bill DeShivs · May 16, 2013, 02:03 PM

Use the 0000 steel wool dry. Gently (very) scrub the rust. Wipe everything off, then oil the gun.

publius · May 17, 2013, 01:14 PM

Soak the rust spots down with KROIL and let it soak for about a week (wet again when needed. Wipe dry and rub lightly with 0000 steel wool. Note I said wipe the oil off before you use the steel wool and wipe the rust off with a clean cloth every couple of strokes with the steel wool. Always listen to Bill Deshivs when it comes to finishes.He knows his stuff! I just think pre-soaking with Kroil works better. I'm sure he will agree that it can't hurt.

May 14, 2013, 06:08 PM	#1
Zulu343 Member Join Date: February 12, 2009 Posts: 27	what to do with rusty gun I recently inherited a Winchester model 12 (1912) from year 1919. However, it has sat in a garage for 5+ years without any care, maybe longer. It now has rust on one side of the reciever - none on the barrel inside or out, minimal on other side of reciever. I'm sure the rust is through any blueing, but hopefully hasn't pitted the reciever very much. How should I go about dealing with this - I HATE rust, and this has never been an issue with any guns I own.

May 15, 2013, 06:06 AM	#6
CajunBass Senior Member Join Date: May 6, 2005 Location: North Chesterfield, Virginia Posts: 4,767	Personally, I wouldn't worry about it. It's almost 100 years old. I've got more rust on me and I'm not that old. I'd wipe it down with an oily rag, and let it wear it's battle scars with pride. __________________ For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:16 (NKJV)

May 15, 2013, 10:55 AM	#8
Ricklin Senior Member Join Date: February 22, 2008 Location: SW Washington state Posts: 2,011	I am a big fan of the Model 12. Is there a choke marking on the barrel? If it does have a choke indicated on the barrel, I say go for the 4-0 steel wool and oil, then touch up the bluing. If there is no choke marking on the barrel, disregard and seek the help of a pro. I am pretty certain if your manuf. date is correct you don't have a Winchester factory installed poly choke. In that case it's just another Model 12 with a poly choke. Not that that is a bad thing, but the collector value is nonexistent. __________________ ricklin Freedom is not free

May 16, 2013, 04:44 AM	#10
CajunBass Senior Member Join Date: May 6, 2005 Location: North Chesterfield, Virginia Posts: 4,767	I can't tell for sure from the picture, I think that's not a "Poly-Choke", rather I think it's a "Cutts Compensator." Sort of a muzzle brake that you can change chokes with. They were pretty popular back in the day when a man might use one gun for everything. Man those things are LOUD. You do not want to be standing beside one when it goes off. You talk about muzzle blast. I could always tell when someone was using one. They make more of a BOOSH than a Bang. I'm not sure if they came with other choke tubes or if you had to buy them, but the choke tubes just screwed in and out. __________________ For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:16 (NKJV)

May 16, 2013, 02:03 PM	#12
Bill DeShivs Senior Member Join Date: April 7, 2006 Posts: 10,981	Use the 0000 steel wool dry. Gently (very) scrub the rust. Wipe everything off, then oil the gun. __________________ Bill DeShivs, Master Cutler www.billdeshivs.com

May 14, 2013, 06:39 PM	#2
jmr40 Senior Member Join Date: June 15, 2008 Location: Georgia Posts: 10,806	It isn't that bad really for a nearly 100 year old gun. I know of no way to completely remove it without removing bluing also. For now I'd wipe down with oil to keep it from getting worse. On a less rare gun I'd carefully polish with 0000 steel wool to knock the surface rust off and just use it. On this one I might ask for professional help. Overall this gun looks very good for its age to me.

May 14, 2013, 06:49 PM	#3
cvc944 Senior Member Join Date: March 17, 2013 Location: Lenhartsville, PA Posts: 164	Treat the wood and metal to a nice refinish. I notice you have a poly choke on the end of the barrel, so it really isn't going to hurt the value any more to make it look new.

May 14, 2013, 07:10 PM	#4
jaguarxk120 Senior Member Join Date: February 28, 2008 Location: Michigan Posts: 2,619	If you have the gun reblued, make sure who does the work knows how to blue a Winchester Model 12. The recievers have a high nickle content and if temperatures are not held right the reciever comes out in a red/plum color.

May 15, 2013, 01:52 AM	#5
natman Senior Member Join Date: June 24, 2008 Posts: 2,606	Gentle rubbing with lots of light oil and 0000 (four zero) steel wool will remove most of that rust. You won't damage the bluing if you use oil and have the slightest concept of the phrase "gentle rubbing".

May 15, 2013, 08:28 AM	#7
Rifleman1776 Senior Member Join Date: April 25, 2010 Location: Arkansas Posts: 3,309	I agree with others. It is not that bad. Some 0000 steel wool and light oil. Then (I would) put some Oxypho Blue over it and enjoy.

May 15, 2013, 12:45 PM	#9
Zulu343 Member Join Date: February 12, 2009 Posts: 27	OK, thanks for the replies. I'll try to go very light with 0000 steel wool and oil first. Probably just leave it that way. If it bugs me too much, I'll consider re-blueing, either at home or by a pro. I also checked out what the poly choke is. I didn't know what it was or the name of it before. Looks like it basically takes away any collectible value. (it was not factory original, the bbl does have a choke designation on it.) Fine with me anyways, I have another 'collectible' gun and every time I see it I think I'd rather be shooting it than collecting it. From what I've managed to read, the poly choke works pretty well - I'll give it a go.

May 16, 2013, 01:32 PM	#11
Bake Senior Member Join Date: November 11, 2012 Location: San Joaquin Valley, Calif. Posts: 482	I would give the Model 12 a light coat of "Ed's Red", and shoot it intill it falls apart. Its deserve "no-less". Never judge a Model 12 by its blue job, but by its "Hits" and its action ("Best Pump" ever made)....

May 17, 2013, 01:14 PM	#13
publius Senior Member Join Date: January 25, 2005 Location: Mississippi/Texas Posts: 2,505	Soak the rust spots down with KROIL and let it soak for about a week (wet again when needed. Wipe dry and rub lightly with 0000 steel wool. Note I said wipe the oil off before you use the steel wool and wipe the rust off with a clean cloth every couple of strokes with the steel wool. Always listen to Bill Deshivs when it comes to finishes.He knows his stuff! I just think pre-soaking with Kroil works better. I'm sure he will agree that it can't hurt. __________________ "Suppose you were an idiot, and suppose you were a member of Congress, but I repeat myself." Mark Twain