The $2 Gamble - Can I Turn This Rusty Shotgun into Gold?

I bought a gun for £1.30 on the open market, and invested a day of workshop time to see what we could do!
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[@tgsoutdoors]

Thanks to our channel members for keeping this video AD FREE!!

[@AecernArchaeology]

Easiest restoration I've ever seen. The shotgun was never "junk".

[@isaaco5679]

That looks like a very nice gun. Just needed some maintenance by the look of it.

[@FroggyNight]

All this talk about the dirty gun in the beginning had me confused. That thing looks absolutely beautiful. So much character and history. I’d love a piece like that.

[@commonsence8223]

I see patina and normal condition metal. Almost zero rust!!

[@FroggyNight]

@@commonsence8223 right? Maybe it’s just my lack of experience but this was a beautiful piece before AND after it was touched up. I’d love to be able to own one like it and take it out every weekend to shoot.

[@MrPanos2000]

no history in this, just careless owners and zero maintenance

[@jimedray]

I love watching the videos where you refurbish/restore older guns, Or neglected guns. It's awesome to see what some cleaning can do.

[@JJW3]

What a great project gun. I would definitely have taken it on as a restoration project for that crazy low price! The only thing I would do differently is I would have put the barrels and other metal in a steam cabinet to convert the rust and card it instead of scrubbing it with steel wool and oil. That thing would be at least $500 in the used gun rack here in the USA, even in its original, dirty condition.

[@CountDoucheula]

Would have paid ten times that just for the metal & wood...

[@JD_Mac]

even before restoration i would be hard pressed to find a gun in that condition used for less than $800 USD, and the fact you got it for so cheap is just unbelievable to me, nice looking gun though

[@robpowell9162]

This is my favourite video from the last 12 months, proper grass roots footage! That gun was great, and munched those clays up. Great job!

[@tgsoutdoors]

Only cos your in it 😂

[@robpowell9162]

@@tgsoutdoors sausage! I love your premium stuff, I just admire a gunsmithing as an art form

[@Luke_148]

You look genuinely content doing this mate. There's nothing like the joy of manual labor to bring a glow of satisfaction to someone's face 😁 (I'm not too sure about Michael though)

[@MrChalupaMonkey]

I cant tell you how much I love this kind of video. taking a gun that people see a useless and building them back up.

[@maximada2003]

This really is one of the best TGS videos. Love it. It would be great if you turned a cheap gun into something to rival a comp gun just with mods/addons

[@grandunionnews2510]

Next time, think about boiling the barrel to convert the rust and then carding it = Restored and reblued.

[@BobbysGunChannel]

I 100% love it when you do this to old and cheap guns. The transformation just oiling the stock done was amazing!!

[@funkla65]

Well, it's definitely better than scrap. A good stand in for a Turkish Delight for a beginner. Or, an extra to have on hand if a visitor wants to try clays, or something to follow a bird dog with on a rainy day.

[@colinhess8900]

For future reference, you boil rust parts in distilled water to covert the rust. Basically the final step in rust bluing (or blacking/black oxide finish). Simply boil, card, oil. It won’t comprise the original bluing, and also loosen the baked on crud.

[@ronaldjohnson1474]

$2 for a shotgun? Wow! I've spent lots of time restoring old guns and learned something every time. Headaches? Yeah. Fun? YES! Great vid Jonny!

[@alanrogs3990]

Good deal and good restore. You made that gun happy and that's a wonderful thing.

[@joetruth5924]

Had to clean up an action almost as bad as this one. Soaking it in a bucket of WD40 for a week did the trick. Cleaned up the oil soaked into the stock by soaking it in acetone over night. It draws all the oil out.

[@leepearce4742]

I think this needs to become a yearly tradition or a challenge on the next series of the gun review

[@combatclifton]

I did exactly the same thing. Brought an old side by side from holts. Cost less than £50. Stripped services and wood reworked & oiled looks like new now

[@the45er]

Jonny, your channel has saved many a rainy day for me. Keep up the excellent content!

[@heathhenry6083]

I saw the tease for this on Instagram. So excited to see this video. Wonderful job gentlemen. Excellent video!

[@mathewhopwood76]

Honestly one of the best videos I've watched in a long while! I've got to get myself to Holts!!!

[@jamescooksey2885]

You can bid online I do most sales

[@-Nobody-1]

They probably wont give you the same poundland deal…

[@jameswalbridge6081]

Love these sorts of videos, you should definitely do more. I wouldn't mind seeing a video where the barrels are worked on such as multichoking a fix choke gun, forcing cone lengthening, polishing etc with a before and after on a pattern plate or in the field.

[@Theshropshireratter]

I love my fx tf12 pcp airgun but i also love getting cheap junk springers and repairing them.back to former glory real pride and great way to learn news skills.

[@daledurham4308]

In antique store in Norman, OK many years ago, this serious shotgunner paid a few dollars for a 12 ga, side-by-side, hammer, 28" damascus barrels shotgun in poor shape similar to the one in this video. All metal was cleaned/oiled and stock was refinished. W. Richards was marked on barrels. I never fired it as I had concerns about barrel metal. Gave it to Stillwater, OK gun club friend who is expert on old shotguns and he plans for us to shoot it with mild handloads once he makes an important replacement for damaged part. I am so very glad to have given it to him.

[@markbutler9442]

Nice!! A Wesley Richards SxS hammer gun find in an antique store. I would love to find something like that in a pawn shop or antique store.

[@HJDore]

@@markbutler9442W.Richards would more than likely be a separate maker. I remember a mate of mine had a gun marked W.Richards he thought was a Westley Richards however turns out westley Richards have always been marked with the full name.

[@daledurham4308]

@@HJDore My research on W. Richards led me to believe in 1890s was when guns of that name were made. I never thought my gun was of Wesley Richards quality, after handling friends' British shotguns of extremely high workmanship.

[@kenlansing1216]

Good to see a gunsmithing video, especially one in w which a gun is rescued like that. Keep doing God's work.

[@yodasecondave]

That's an incredible deal. It would have totally been worth spending a couple extra days on.

[@chrisjohn4101]

THIS is how to entertain, THIS is how to captivate an audience. THIS is how to make something from nothing. THIS is about as good as it gets.Thank you.

[@lusitanooutdoorchannel680]

If I were to do a full refinishing job I would probably re-blue the action. An over and under shotgun with a black ir even a case colour hardened action is different and beautiful. You don't see them very often

[@alexlongley8281]

Absolutely loved this, wish there was more of this

[@PattyRusts]

Really enjoyed this video. Can we get more things like this?

[@danielwancio3919]

That is a perfect grouse/woodcock gun. Open chokes short barrel. Good for fast shooting in a closet sized opening. I'd take it

[@hambonelouis]

Did Jon ever say what gauge it is? 12 is obv out of the question for woodcock.

[@tgsoutdoors]

What’s wrong with 12ga for woodcock?

[@danielwancio3919]

Load it up with some 2.5" low pressure loads, should be fine

[@darkshaman7087]

A great rough and ready gun to use on a rainy day if out rabbiting with ferrets etc, just put it this way you wont cry if you scratch it like u would with a expensive gun.

[@whillhern]

I love to see these old hard used guns brought back to use. The abrasion appears to be from years of sediment getting trapped between the barrel and forend and acting as sandpaper.

[@method2madness1]

An amazing find. Rusty isn’t the enemy, it’s spotting. That ruins the action and is impossible to work without complete replacement

[@tommyleemaddox1033]

Sure wish I knew how to refurbish firearms like this. One stumbling block however would be obtaining a full kit shop in which to perform my newly acquired skill...

[@TheRandomGuy414]

Depending on how bad the gun is you don't really need a lot of tools or a big shop if you're willing to put some time and labor as well as drop give or take 200$ for tools you can get started. Just make sure you do your research on the disassembly so you don't end up launching a part into orbit.

[@adude7050]

For me working on an old gun is like a vacation. A good technique to know when working on stocks is strip sanding. You would be amazed what you can do with that technique. Also for anything that is gummed up I like to keep some fuel oil around. If you soak it in the fuel oil for a bit it will cut the grime and loosen up most fasteners. there are also some tricks you can use to draw some of the old oil out of the stock and then lighten it before refinishing.

[@Blondejam]

Good shout JC! Plenty a good tune played on an old fiddle! It goes 'Bang' and breaks things!!! Indeedee for me...

[@MichaelAnsell1842]

I really enjoyed that. I would’ve been extremely interested in what it’d would’ve looked like after 36 hours. But then the goal isn’t there, time = money. So would’ve defeated the objective. Brilliant as always.

[@MichaelAnsell1842]

Just noticed I got my 6 months badge 🎉🎉🎉🎉

[@sargy9586]

Absolutely loved this video reminds me of the good old days of back from the brink! Now im going to have to go back and watch them

[@skater4life31683]

Maybe consider finding another gun in a similar state and do a "2 day" restore since clearly the time frame was restricting. Others have also commented on operations that would help and add time as well. Just a thought.

[@skylersmith9465]

Should of steamed or boiled it to convert the rust back to bluing. Then the oxides just wipe off with with 4o steel wool. It brings back so much bluing on guns, even back looking guns come out looking beautiful.

[@spotontheroad1]

Great video. Once again you produced a real dandy. And I agree, it was worth saving that gun. "With only three hours left in the day, it's obviously not going to get a London finish" made me chuckle😄. Great stuff. Loved it.

[@kennyherrick1630]

I have a few cool modern guns but I would love to have a older classic over and under like this.

[@jarednelson1634]

so fun see sometimes cheap is fun!!! I’m good with my ruger that I coughed out 1500 for and had to send back then fix up… nothing like a good work over and sit down to tell ya’ a story

[@GH-bl7ql]

Brilliant vid entertaining and even better u saved a beater for someone starting the sport! Great to see u at IWA bud!

[@Ryan_Smyth]

LOL! Sorry, but man alive! That gun was in WAY better condition than a lot of what I work on. Also... I am SOOOOO jealous! It's simply impossible to buy ANYTHING in Canada that cheaply. People will pay $50+ for a completely rusty parts gun that consists of only 2 parts - a crappy, dirty, cracked wooden stock and a rusted barrel. Nothing else. No bolt. No trigger. No iron sights. Nothing. I wish I could get stuff that cheap - I'd buy everything I possibly could. The one thing that I didn't like seeing was how you cleaned the bore. The rod looked like it was a steel rod - correct me if I'm wrong. I do the same thing with stuff that is just insanely bad, but I use only brass and/or aluminum because they're much softer metals, and you're not going to do any hard damage with them - whereas steel can do serious damage very quickly.

[@tgsoutdoors]

It’s an aluminium rod, with 0000 wire wool wrapped on a phos bronze brush

[@Ryan_Smyth]

Ah! Thanks for the update/info! @@tgsoutdoors One thing I forgot to mention is that I also use wooden dowels sometimes. Good & bad with wood - good you're guaranteed no accidental damage - bad you're much more likely to break the rod, particularly in/at the drill chuck.

[@wallyzworld7108]

It would have been interesting if you had steamed the barrels to convert the rust then carded them. Mark Novak has done wonders on rusted barrels with this method over on his channel.

[@michaelbaines1525]

Everybody needs a gun like this in the collection; one that owes nothing. I have a Baikal O/U for this purpose and took it crow shooting last week. A wet weather gun.

[@bloodvow333]

If you can find it grill paint can handle the heat and doesn’t need to be baked on. It will end up looking parkerized.

[@davidward2231]

You did a great thing. If only I had the skills to be able to do the same. Would love to do the same as a rainy day project.

[@billtawn3474]

Very nice. I worked on a few old side by sides during COVID to keep my hands and mind busy. They all came out very nice. Had to go to a gunsmith for some internal work. I use one for pheasant hunting and harvested quite a few birds with it. I used Dura-Blue spray for the finish on the barrels. It came out very nice and is holding up. I would have loved to see you use that on the barrels of this gun you refinished. Happy Hunting!

[@wtice4632]

Do you recommend Dura Blue? What is the prep work like for it? Does it look thin?

[@Pugna-cz6gs]

Covid dupe

[@billtawn3474]

I’ve done three guns with it. The prep is sanding down the barrels to get off the blueing. Final sand is 600 grit. Then follow the directions. It comes out nice.

[@billtawn3474]

Does not look thin. Also, you don’t have to worry about fingerprints on the barrel.

[@Micge]

I always enjoy it when something neglected gets a bit of love.

[@johnkreider3860]

Actually love old used gun like that and to me this one is pretty sharp. Imagine rebluing with engraving, along with quality wood done right. That old boy would be a keeper. To me, it's a keeper as is. Would be awesome to know its history, as from who owned it and where it's been and hunted in its lifetime. 👍🇺🇸

[@ryanwolfert8618]

You had mentioned a double fired. I was wondering what causes that? Both a friend and I have an over under that double fires not all the time just once in a while.

[@tigea9078]

I've done this with pumps and semi's. Doubled my money. Just a good cleaning and pm it. And they are back in the game.

[@ricardomoonbeam8530]

Lol, looks like every gun I've ever owned. Oh well, I never have to worry about throwing them the cabinet or leaning them against a wall. I'd be frightened to touch a Purdey.

[@oaklindphoto]

Fun little project and a nice gun after all

[@14goldmedals]

Well done sir. Now you have a perfect loaner shotgun for when a buddy visits and would like to try hitting clays with you.

[@philipphamer8136]

Great work. I certainly would have enjoyed such a gun in the beginning days of my crow shooting career. For someone on a budged, especially for a student, the time spent outside is the real thrill. More advanced gear comes with time.

[@ryanmilly9560]

I would love to know what you used to finish that wood with. Also as others have mentioned a quick boil and carding job would have been neat to see if you had more than a day to work on it. Ik it did a lovely amount of facelift on an ugly type 99 I got at an auction.

[@yvesf5355]

Good Find on your Part and double good Find for me ,to come across your Video ,your Funny smart and quite experienced and that trade ,thank you .

[@tgsoutdoors]

Thank you kindly

[@Krazykal]

Ok I just wanna know where you can get an over/under for a buck fifty, I been needing one of those for decades and finding one for under a grand is stupid.

[@xandlhofer8029]

I love to buy and shoot used and vintage guns, the do have so much style and personality. Infact, I do have some that need work done apart from oiling and cleaning, but from your video I see it's pretty doable with some effort. It would be great if you could do more such gun makeover videos. Thanks in advance PS: Keep you channel going, it is great!

[@DFox-ud3gx]

I'm glad you saved that Ole gun and gave it some life back,long as the new owner cleans her up she's fine now its tea time Johnny

[@petyt8]

You should do a wheeler dealer style trading up program where you start with something like this and and trade up till you can afford a better quality gun 🤣

[@tgsoutdoors]

We have discussed it numerous times, but the time input for the series would be wild. Doesn’t mean it won’t happen, just means it will take a while….

[@pabloburlinksi18]

Can we organise some kind of vote, because I want to see this@@tgsoutdoors

[@misolgit69]

is that the same Sussex Armoury that in the 70s was flogging all those cast alloy replica pistols and cheap wall hanger swords ?

[@MrShoryuken1]

Been waiting for this video since the short!

[@leec12]

I got a Belgian sxs for only 1GPB. Bores very good, 3" chambers 30" barrels, make a good wildfowler!

[@arghjayem]

More videos like this would be interesting!

[@the45er]

Thanks!

[@tgsoutdoors]

Thankyou sir, we may use that for the next bargain gun project!

[@robertmarvell9626]

Great video and just proves that you should not discard something because it’s old and grubby it will still put the lead where you point it.

[@mikeasel144]

Still waiting for you to make a video on sub gauge tubed . Maybe they are not popular where you are from but in the USA for register skeet they are a must. I do like your videos.

[@maxnomad8561]

wholesome and inspiring work, thanks!!

[@MrMadmac38]

My Mrs talks about her electric friend but she’s not a gun owner 🤔

[@jonathanglock390]

First off, holy hell a $2 gun? Second, the fact that it still functions makes it a $350+ gun here in the states. Probably also because its a lot easier to get a firearm here therefore much more likely to sell for more.

[@liamcrabb9065]

does anyone know what sort of table cover he has. it seems padded to protect the gun and surface?

[@SailingFirstAway]

I bought a Rizzini very cheaply also with the same shooting school markings on. Do you have any history on them at all? Info seems to be quite limited. I did pretty much exactly the same work to mine as you did to this one too 😂

[@matthewdeepblue]

Fun being in the workshop with you amigo

[@deedoubleyatraining]

Everyday is a school day! Loved this one 👍

[@alexchapman3906]

You might want to get yourself an ultrasonic bath. Perfect for cleaning small parts with zero effort.

[@salbriganti4880]

Hi Johnny, Are you familiar with the Bernardelli Orione? Lovely gun. I would love to see a video of one of these. All the best.

[@flyingeye9133]

What a fabulous project 🤗 it wuld make a great field gun for pest control 👍

[@patrickdougherty4613]

This should be a regular feature on the channel.

[@chrisopperman1848]

As always, great video. I love your stuff! I spied that Meateater mug on the shelf. I think it would be great if you guys could get together for some content!

[@grahamsimpkins1540]

What an absolute bargain. Okay, need a little bit of love, but the outcome was well worth the effort ! Great review as always I really enjoy when you do these restorations Maybe so more Will come onto the horizon on this channel very soon ?

[@tgsoutdoors]

We have a few plans

[@MSJOnline1]

Great to see some smithing on the channel again 👍

[@sampointau]

Of you're going to throw dollar equivalent cosr in, please state which dollar denomination, US, Australian, New Zealand, Canadian etc.

[@basshnter1997]

I really like how you treated this one. Not worthy of a restoration but certainly worthy of getting back in good order. Is the action on this what the Yildiz steel sporter is based on?

[@tgsoutdoors]

Similar yes

[@johngibson7307]

2:17 matchlock has entered the chat

[@wing7534]

At 16:18, what is mounted under the barrel of the shotgun? Seen the same thing in a few other videos and have always wondered

[@mathieudissais5103]

that s what i love to do and watch, negliged shotgun can be very good under the rust ;)

[@andybannon7680]

When I hit the lotto Johnny I’m gonna pay you to spend some proper time on these finds! Chasing the checkering, bluing, London finish

[@tgsoutdoors]

Greatest the shiniest collection of rust about

[@Southwalesshoitingdiary]

The E Rizzini is my rough shooting gun of choice cheap and reliable yours does look better than mine tho 😂

[@VrMonkeyOo]

the funny thing is the fact when you said it was for the price of a cheese burger... but chees burgers are more expensive 😭😭😭

[@865251nw]

More like this please

[@-Nobody-1]

I mean… that thing looks pretty clean. Its not perfect shape, but hell it was decent. This is kinda like a 90s movie where they took a really hot chick, threw glasses on her and said she was a dork. Then half way through the movie she would get a make over, take her glasses off, and everyone would gasp at how much of a bombshell she was. Great work though, the finished product was great. Nice video too 👍.

[@mattyallen3396]

Now to see that Lee Speed!

[@jnnckkrk]

Nice Video, thank u man! Would u please say me which brand the gloves are? Greetings from germany!

[@rickyrunner7619]

you can do anything if you take the time and effort