Re telling if a gun is soft or hard soldered. Take a piece of a broken hacksaw blade, about 6 or 8 inches long. Grind all of the teeth off of it. On the end opposite the hole, carefully grind a hook in the side, shaped like an eagle's beak. Stone away whatever burrs the grinding raises on the flat sides of the blade. On an inconspicuous area of the gun, like under the forearm, draw the point of the "beak" along the joint between the rib and the barrel, using moderate pressure. If it's soft soldered, this tool will curl up a lovely silver-coloured thread of solder behind it. If the gun is silver-soldered, or brazed, with a bit heavier pressure applied to the tool, it will raise a brass-coloured thread. Works like a charm!
Last edited by Ron Vella; 01/26/09 06:23 PM.
