Browning A-5 *Deep Cleaning and Restoration* (photo update page #4)

[Delkal]

Pre '67 with the round pistol grip. I haven't run the serial yet as to the specific year. And yes, it was blued differently... still up in the air as to what to do. As far as resale value, I'm not to concerned because I plan on keeping it. I love the addition to the collection. What a great shotgun.

If its pre 67 I would strongly be against rebluing it. Those shotguns have a beautiful dark blue rust finish that most rebluers cant match. Everyone now just gives it a hot bath blackening. It wouldn't look right.

I totally understand about not ever wanting to sell it. Its a great shotgun, give it to your kids. Blueing doesn't really do anything for the longevity of a well cared for firearm. Neglected blued guns will rust just as fast as one without a finish. Let us know about the bad spot on the barrel. Is it just a shiny spot or active rust?

If you see any active rust you need to deal with it immediatly. The best way is with 0000 steel wool and some bore solvent then oil. Scrub away, you won't hurt the finish. If it is rust with deep pitting, get a scrap piece of brass with a sharp edge. Oil it up and scrape away at the rust. You will see brass marking left on the finish (don't worry). When all of the pitted rust is gone and there is brass marks all over, use some 0000 steel wool again. It will remove the brass and leave the blueing.

Try these lightly at first then get medieval on it if needed. You need to remove all active rust.

[zswartley]

Here is a photo of the spot on the barrel that concerns me. It is not currently active rust, but it looks like it may have been at one time. I dont mind the used look of the receiver, but this spot is just ugly looking. What do you guys think?



Also received the Browning high viz front sight. I put the large red insert in just to see if I like it... I don't think I do. My SX3 that I do most of my sporting clay shooting with has a green, but I think I'm going to put the large white insert on this one.

[Delkal]

How did you get the old bead off? Was it totally mangled?

[zswartley]

How did you get the old bead off? Was it totally mangled?

I taped up the bead and then used a rag and vise grips. It came out easy. Not mangled at all.

My dad recently lost the original bead out of his Sweet Sixteen A-5 so I'm gonna use it for that...

[thefirstndsecond]

I have pre 67 light twelve as well.

Great gun. Bluing coming off, wood is old, metal is great.

Used it when I first went hunting with pop.

Never selling it.

Good luck with yours.

[Svickstc]

did you try the green bead? I think that would look good

[zswartley]

I have pre 67 light twelve as well.

Great gun. Bluing coming off, wood is old, metal is great.

Used it when I first went hunting with pop.

Never selling it.

Good luck with yours.

Thanks. I can't wait to use it!

[zswartley]

did you try the green bead? I think that would look good

No I haven't. I'm sure I'll try them all at some point. I haven't been home in a week to work on it some more. It's killing me...

[zswartley]

Finally got back to working on the project a little bit. I stripped the original finish off of the stocks and cleaned them up. Right now they are drying with one coat of tung oil applied. All the metal has been soaking and I've begun scrubbing. I received all the ordered parts for the gun. I plan on finishing up the furniture over the coarse of this week, and putting everything back together. Then its time to test her out... Maybe a 100 round of sporting clays (just to make sure I'm not wasting my time).

I also did some research on the manufacture date. Found out that it is a 1958 model and the 1098th produced













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[thefirstndsecond]

It took me weeks to do my wood. I used Birchwood Casey walnut stain and oil. After I stripped the wood I waited for it to completely dry. Took a week to dry. I would apply coat of oil then wait for it to dry. Then use 0000 steel wool real light. Then apply another coat.

Can't wait to see the steps through your project.