Fire damaged weapons

[dubiousrunner]

I may have an opportunity to buy some what appears to be old (octagone barrel) rifles that were salvaged from a house fire. Is there a chance that they can be somewhat restored or has the metal been heated to the point that they can never be usable except for display. Most of them have no wood remaining and I am not sure if the action works or not, they are covered with black suet. Should I leave them alone and spend my time and money on something more worthwhile? I am not a gunsmith, although I am somewhat of a woodworker.

tks,
Jerry

 

[SASABERANGER]

Jerry,
You may find that the metal is also pitted under the soot.
If the stocks are gone it is a good chance that the temper is gone from the metal, don't think I would trust them, even a .22.
Just my humble opinion.
Thom Braxton
SWCA #1474

 

[H Richard]

If they could be bought cheap enough it may be a fun educational project for a "Wall Hanger".

 

[gunlovingirl]

Jerry,
You may find that the metal is also pitted under the soot.
If the stocks are gone it is a good chance that the temper is gone from the metal, don't think I would trust them, even a .22.
Just my humble opinion.
Thom Braxton
SWCA #1474

+1

 

[dubiousrunner]

Thanks, maybe Thomas Jefferson would make plows out of 'em. Ha, ha.

 

[Firehouse]

Good wall hanger project as said earlier. Not good for anything else. If the temper of the metal is damaged, it could disintegrate when fired. Only way to check the condition of the temper is through microscopic examination, which really isn't feasible.

 

[dubiousrunner]

That makes sense to me. Life is already too short to fire something that I know might be dangerous. On the other hand (as you say), might look "reel" good on the wall.

Thanks all for responding,
Jerry

 

[feralmerril]

Unless I could get them at a very low cost for next to nothing, I wouldnt bother. However, there is a possibility that there could be some valuable parts that you could resale.

 

[NonFascio]

Quality steel can lose it's temper before it gets to 1800* ambient temp. A house fire can easily be over 2,000*. Don't bother.

NF

 

[TAC]

All the springs would be damaged as well.

 

[dant]

save your money......

we had found in all the years of refinishing guns in our shops, that if the fire was that hot to burn off the wood as you say, the fire was too hot.........
charred surface, borderline, would have to "see" inspect,check out each gun on its own merits,,,,,then there is the availability of the parts for the gun in question............
yes, you can make novelty items out of the parts, cylinders, frames etc, ( paper weights, pen holders, etc......) but not worth the effort really..............good luck

 

[kritter]

fire burned

it depends,, like dan said most are lost....but, where were they in the fire ?
in direct flame? sitting and smoldering under something? did they cool slowly? or hit with a fire hose?

it all depends....99.9 percent are lost
some can be saved...... but at the cost it's probally not worth it..
heres some from a fire here.....

of these only one was really lost.. most are in different stages of rebuild two are finished .
I lucked out that these were kept in a closet, when a wall collapsed they were buried under clothing and sat and smoldered, anyhow heres some durring refinishng/rebuilding

winchester model 12's
http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i279/kritter2000/winnies001.jpg
1939 winchester 74 in .22short
http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i279/kritter2000/HPIM0478.jpg
1940 springfield 87M #82
http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i279/kritter2000/HPIM0584.jpg
best bet would to be to find someone who does restorations and see if it's even worth it to try,, if your building a "shooter" .. for a wall hanger... only option is cost and time.. you have to ask yourself is it really worth it?