doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DIY Gunsmithing @ doublegunshop.com Schneider of Paris

Hi

Ive recently picked up a Schneider of Paris 12 gauge, its a hammer action side by side, with damascus barrels. Its in need of a refurb (off face, opening lever loose . The barrels are in good condition internally without any dents, the stock is dirty but without any lumps or bumps) Any tips or guidance would be great. Not sure if im going to fire it, but i bought as a display item for 60 euro at a gun fair in France

Are you in Europe? A gunsmith tightening the action is the best answer, but if you only want to shoot it occasionally, you can try a temporary shim on the hinge pin. Shim stock glued on is more durable, but you can also try a softer metal like a soda can, which would probably get you a day's shooting.

The barrels can be cleaned up with 0000 steel wool and bore cleaner, and if there is pattern remaining you can try a vinegar etch.

Regards
Ken

To add to what Ken says, use a soft metal aluminum shim from a soda can. But if you want something easy but more permanent, using a micrometer, measure the crushed aluminum shim and then replace it with more durable commercial shim stock of the same thickness. I've even used a steel feeler blade to make a shim for a very durable simple repair.

Steve

Gentlemen, many thanks for you guidance. Yes I am in europe and live south west France just north of Bordeaux, . Having done some research on this gun, it may well be Worth letting a gun Smith fix it up for me, as i may have picked up a bargin which would warrant me spending 500 euros on it.

Ken61, Could you elaborate on the vinegar etch? It sounds like something lots of our barrels could benefit from.

Ziggy,

I'd recommend doing a simple repair first and then shoot the gun for a while to see how well it fits you before you put serious money into it. As I'm sure you know a shotgun needs to fit you well for you to be able to shoot it well and many things come into consideration regarding fit. I've found the best thing to do is to shoot the gun at a patterning board to learn where it's hitting for you. If it's hitting where you want, then send it to a gun smith for more permanent repairs.

Steve

The vinegar etch is a way of bring out the pattern on Damascus and Twist tubes. It only works if the coloring is still present on the tubes. It won't work if the coloring is worn off, or if the coloring has converted to heavy rust.

Remove light corrosion with bore cleaner and 0000 steel wool.

Degrease barrels with acetone.

Apply vinegar, either quickly with a sponge, or dunk in a vinegar filled PVC tube, allowing vinegar to work for around 20 seconds or so. The time duration is really a judgement call depending on coloring condition. Too long will remove coloring.

Neutralize with baking soda solution, either by wiping on quickly or dunking.

Rinse well with water, towel, then blow dry. Remove flash rust with degreased stool wool.

Repeat if necessary. Once done, oil, lacquer, etc.

This will not restore the tubes, or improve the pattern itself, but only improve contrast and appearance somewhat.

A gallon of white vinegar is enough for a 3 1/2" PVC tube.

Regards
Ken

If your Schneider is the same fellow whose patent more or less introduced the successful center fire breech loading shotgun cartridge to England, then , to me it would have some historical significance.