Fire Damage

I recently lost my Papa in a house fire. Since I was a kid he always told me I could have his guns when he passed. I never wanted to hear that stuff when he would tell me but now the time has come. The guns were in a less than adequate safe and burned. I pulled them out and some what cleaned them up and coated them with oil until I can figure out what to do. They are really the only things he left to me and I really want to try and salvage what I can. I know that if metal gets too hot I can lose its hardness so I'm worried about the integrity. I really hope I can restore them to fully functioning firearms but if not I'd like to at least get them back to what I remember them looking like. I'm looking for any kind of insight any of you may have. Thanks in advance.

Dayum man, I sure hate to hear this. Prayers for you.

Terrible news. Sorry for your loss. I don't have any information for you, just advice. I would try and find a gun Smith in my area and have him look at each firearm.

The steel did not get hot enough to lose its' hardness. It takes a forge to do that.

Guns get very hot when they are shot, it takes a LOT of heat to hurt the metal.

If the metal got hot enough to start tempering the wood would be long gone and any springs would have lost their "spring".

I no longer do general gunsmithing work but can tell you unless these are extremely high end guns any money you put into restoration will be higher than actual value. Sentimental value can be higher than actual value, and there's nothing wrong with that.

good advice TDK

Sorry for your loss Sam, I'm sure the guns are going to be OK

So the wood was burned off of all of them. I understand the cost being higher than the actual value. I have 3 possibly 4 that I think are worth investigating they are as follows Thompson Contender w/ .44mag barrel pistol, Remington 700 BDL .270, and a Winchester Model 94 30/30. There is also a 30 carbine that I'd like to investigate but there's not as much sentimental value in it.

Dang!

Folks sell factory stocks on ebay after they replace them. I'd start looking there to replace the wood. Then, as was already said, find a smith that could fix what is needed. What's the condition of the blueing?

I’d clean them, oil them, check that the action all seem to be working. Then I’d take them to a smith, check for function, then replace the stocks/ have the metal refinished.

I am so sorry. Prayers up for y'all. The fellas can help with advice far better than I can for restoration.

Sorry for your loss. Good luck with the mementos.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jO4i7UHZeGs

So sorry man. I just can't even imagine.

Blueing is pretty much gone.

Sorry for your loss.

Sorry for your loss.

Let's get a little practical; Put the emotional aside, I know that's hard. Given the list: 700 BDLs are pretty common, Thompson contenders aren't that rare, What make/model .30 cal?. And finally, is the 94 a pre '64?

If the 94 is pre '64 get it checked out. Everything else you just have to decide what they mean, and are worth to you.

Just my opinion, so you get what it's worth.

Prayers Up...I cannot imagine!

Are those the only firearms you owned or inherited?

Restore those rifles!

To hell with everyone that wants to give up just because of monetary value, or because it will be difficult. America used to have men that would take on a challenge just because it would be hard. And America used to have men that weren't afraid to use their hands, get dirty, and shed some blood.

If they mean anything to you, and if they are not totally ruined, get them going again, whatever it takes.

Praying for you....

Dang right. Dad has a 22 bolt gun that’s ridden in the back seat of his truck since I guess I was born. It’s killed more animals than all my guns combined, sick cattle, horses, pets, varmints, you name it. One year for Christmas I restored it for him myself with a bluing kit and took the stock to bare wood and refinished it. Shocked at how well it looks now. You can do the same and then when you pass them down you have a story to tell.

You guys aren't ready to see a professionals bill for a restoration from fire damage, especially one this severe. Research how to do the work yourself to save money, but if the wood is burned away and the springs are bad the action will be subject to needing re-heat treated. Couple hundred dollars there before you even get to metal prep and color, stock replacing, etc...

Ditto^^^

You have got much advice so far, but I will toss mine in. You and you alone know the sentimental value, your financial situation and what not, wouldn't hurt to ask around here, find a smith and take them in for a hands on recommendation.

I have one of those gold spike 30/30 that was given to me in pieces, it to was in a storage fire. I was quoted around $700 in the late 80's with no guarantee on firing function, still have it in pieces LOL, but it has no sentimental value to me.

I was meaning for him to do it himself.

Me too. Thought that was pretty clear.

Thanks for all the insight. I am planning on doing most of it myself or at least attempt to.

So sorry for your loss.