model 12-C Care and Feeding

[bknollenberg]

Hi All,

I have just received a well used and unfortunately poorly cared for model 12-C, which has quite a bit of sentimental value. This rifle was purchased by my grandfather and has been used by three generation of my family to teach marksmanship, hunt or just plink around. The rifle has been used on a midwestern farm for its entire existance and shows all the signs of long life and general neglect.

While there are no signs of rust inside the works or bore, the outside of the rifle is in bad shape. I would say that less than 10% of the original finish remains, and there are areas of pitting along the barrel and magazine tube (magazine tube is particularly bad).

The stock has some dings and dents, but is otherwise solid.

Essentially, I could care less what the retail value of this rifle is, but I want to ensure it is around for the next three generations of my family to use. What recommendations can anyone provide on the following:

1) What should I do to remove the rust and stabilize the rifle in it's current state?

2) Can anyone point my to some disassembly information available online(I'd like to clean/lube everything, but need to ensure I can get it back together)?

3) Does anyone know of any gunsmiths who specialize if Model 12 restorations or repairs?

4) Can anyone give me guidance on the aproximate age of this rifle: SN: 542XX?

5) If I decide to refinish to protect the rifle, what approach do people recommend?

6) The butt section seems to wobble a bit even when the takedown screw is tight, and suggestions on a remedy?

Thanks in advance.

regards,
Brian

[John Gyde]

Q #4. Your rifle was made near the end of 1910. I'll leave your other questions for others to answer. My only suggestion on the refinsh is to make sure you can see others that individual has done. Some "Gunsmiths" seem to love a bright finish you can use as a mirror.

[22long]

Maybe I shouldn't have done this but I've been dredging through all the old posts on M12's (my weak spot). I always cringe when someone brings up the subject of "refinishing" an antique (of any sort). These guns are antiques;and as such,many deserve to remain in their present used or abused condition. The decision to refinish an old gun is of course subject to the whims of the current owner but once the damage is done most of its life history is erased. Any gun show is replete with many examples of the "lipstick-on-a-pig" treatment given to a worn out pos in hopes of duping some naive soul out of his hard earned dollars. One exception being a competent restoration of the piece by a knowledgeable craftsman. There is a difference between a refinish and a restoration.
In many cases the affects of years of neglect can be stabalized by partial disassembly and careful cleaning with #00 steel wool followed by a coat of good gun oil. If the gun looks good on the inside and shoots OK, stop there. Enjoy it for what it is warts and all and you haven't erased that layer of history stored up on the outside. One more thought- don't treat a vintage .22 like it was your brothers 10-22 Ruger and blast thousands of rounds of high speed ammo through it. Some can take it and some can't,although I suspect Model 12's are up to the task. Just had to get this off my chest... Happy Shooting

[John Gyde]

The M/12 was made before High-Velocity ammo. You should use only standard velocity. Although many folks disagree, the Remington repair manual suggests using a hammer and punch to [b]slightl[/b][i][/i]y rough up the edges where the receiver goes back together. Obviously a little caution is needed. Also, this is not a permanent fix if you take the rifle down and put it back together very often.