Gun Repairs and Restorations
Vintage Firearms Inc provides a full-service double gunsmith shop producing some of the finest work in the country. In the double gun world, it is hard to find a gunsmith who not only knows the mechanics but understands how to make the restorations historically accurate. That's where we come in. Top notch service, done right, and we stand by it with a solid warranty. From a simple strip and clean, to full, historically correct restorations, we can keep your fine shotgun in top condition.
How To: Maintain And Service Your Shotgun
Full Evaluation.
Have VFI review your gun from butt to muzzle so you know that the gun is safe to shoot and use. We check trigger sear engagement, minimum safe barrel wall thicknesses, safety function, locking mechanisms that lock the barrels to the breech face while firing the gun, and inspect the wood for hidden cracks that could cause catastrophic failure of the stock. All of this is recommended to protect you, your shooting friends, and your loved ones who may use the gun in the future. We also provide a document stating when it was made, how many of your make/model were made (if the information is available), amount of original condition remaining on gun, whether parts are all original to gun, specifics of choke constriction, trigger pull weights, weight of the gun, stock dimensions, bore diameter, and market value at the time of evaluation. This document will serve as an official appraisal of value for insurance and estate purposes, as well as giving you a solid idea of what you own and how it may best be used and serviced in the future. Many of our clients who buy a firearm over the internet utilize this service to determine if they are going to keep the gun or return it on the 3-day inspection. Cost will range between $100 and $200 depending on the amount of detail requested.
Have VFI review your gun from butt to muzzle so you know that the gun is safe to shoot and use. We check trigger sear engagement, minimum safe barrel wall thicknesses, safety function, locking mechanisms that lock the barrels to the breech face while firing the gun, and inspect the wood for hidden cracks that could cause catastrophic failure of the stock. All of this is recommended to protect you, your shooting friends, and your loved ones who may use the gun in the future. We also provide a document stating when it was made, how many of your make/model were made (if the information is available), amount of original condition remaining on gun, whether parts are all original to gun, specifics of choke constriction, trigger pull weights, weight of the gun, stock dimensions, bore diameter, and market value at the time of evaluation. This document will serve as an official appraisal of value for insurance and estate purposes, as well as giving you a solid idea of what you own and how it may best be used and serviced in the future. Many of our clients who buy a firearm over the internet utilize this service to determine if they are going to keep the gun or return it on the 3-day inspection. Cost will range between $100 and $200 depending on the amount of detail requested.
VFI Certified.
Our most popular service. We recommend the "VFI Certified" process on every vintage shotgun. This is a full strip, clean, & inspection of the mechanical systems of your shotgun. The action and forend iron are stripped to the smallest part, cleaned in the Ultrasonic cleaner, inspected for integrity and function, lubricated and reassembled. VFI CERTIFIED GUNS have a 90-day mechanical warranty. This service often cures sticky safeties, gummy triggers with stiff pulls, ejectors not functioning properly, and misfires caused by poor hammer hits
Our most popular service. We recommend the "VFI Certified" process on every vintage shotgun. This is a full strip, clean, & inspection of the mechanical systems of your shotgun. The action and forend iron are stripped to the smallest part, cleaned in the Ultrasonic cleaner, inspected for integrity and function, lubricated and reassembled. VFI CERTIFIED GUNS have a 90-day mechanical warranty. This service often cures sticky safeties, gummy triggers with stiff pulls, ejectors not functioning properly, and misfires caused by poor hammer hits
Gun Fit.
We bend hundreds of stocks every year. Altering the stock dimensions to better fit your shooting style through bending the stock or altering the length of pull can make all the difference in your effectiveness with the shotgun.
We bend hundreds of stocks every year. Altering the stock dimensions to better fit your shooting style through bending the stock or altering the length of pull can make all the difference in your effectiveness with the shotgun.
Mechanics.
Have us inspect springs, sears, hammers, firing pins, locking mechanisms, and more for damage, wear, etc. This is a service that should be performed at least every 5 years to keep the gun safe and in top condition for another hundred years.
Have us inspect springs, sears, hammers, firing pins, locking mechanisms, and more for damage, wear, etc. This is a service that should be performed at least every 5 years to keep the gun safe and in top condition for another hundred years.
Wood.
Fix cracks and chips before they get worse. Clean the oil and grime from the surface and feed your stock finish with replenishing oils to protect the wood and bring out the fine figure trapped under the dirt. Stocks with oil soaking should have the dirty oil that has penetrated the wood for decades drawn out and the stock finish restored. Oil-soaked wood deteriorates and causes cracks and breakage that can be very expensive to fix, or even require expensive replacement. Recutting the worn checkering on your fine vintage gun will bring life back to the gun as well as provide a firm grip as intended. Restoring the wood to historic correct finish will not only protect the wood from the elements but also bring out the beauty intended by the maker.
Fix cracks and chips before they get worse. Clean the oil and grime from the surface and feed your stock finish with replenishing oils to protect the wood and bring out the fine figure trapped under the dirt. Stocks with oil soaking should have the dirty oil that has penetrated the wood for decades drawn out and the stock finish restored. Oil-soaked wood deteriorates and causes cracks and breakage that can be very expensive to fix, or even require expensive replacement. Recutting the worn checkering on your fine vintage gun will bring life back to the gun as well as provide a firm grip as intended. Restoring the wood to historic correct finish will not only protect the wood from the elements but also bring out the beauty intended by the maker.
Metal.
Our full-service shop can restore the protective blue on barrels, trigger guards, and other small parts. Actions should always have the protective finish as originally provided by the maker of the gun, either case colored, blued, or French grey. We can replace worn or weak springs and parts with our extensive inventory or make parts that are unavailable. Dents in barrels, pitting in the bores or exterior surfaces can be made to disappear. Metal that has been improperly processed in the past can be made new again, with engraving touch-ups, expert filing and stoning to correct rounded and blurred images. Barrels that are loose on face and continue being shot will become damaged more quickly through use. We can properly bring your barrels to be tight on face and renew the locking mechanisms so they engage as intended when new. It is a simple process to eliminate that wiggle on the hinge pin when the barrels are open on the action. Loose ribs can completely pop off the gun if you continue to use the gun without repairing this issue. It is always less expensive to fix the issues before major damage occurs from ignoring the problems.
Our full-service shop can restore the protective blue on barrels, trigger guards, and other small parts. Actions should always have the protective finish as originally provided by the maker of the gun, either case colored, blued, or French grey. We can replace worn or weak springs and parts with our extensive inventory or make parts that are unavailable. Dents in barrels, pitting in the bores or exterior surfaces can be made to disappear. Metal that has been improperly processed in the past can be made new again, with engraving touch-ups, expert filing and stoning to correct rounded and blurred images. Barrels that are loose on face and continue being shot will become damaged more quickly through use. We can properly bring your barrels to be tight on face and renew the locking mechanisms so they engage as intended when new. It is a simple process to eliminate that wiggle on the hinge pin when the barrels are open on the action. Loose ribs can completely pop off the gun if you continue to use the gun without repairing this issue. It is always less expensive to fix the issues before major damage occurs from ignoring the problems.
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If you wish to shoot and enjoy your vintage shotgun it should evaluated for safety issues and other problems that could cause premature failures. Barrel wall thickness is a most important issue that will put you at ease shooting modern ammunition. Have your barrels measured for safety. With proper care, your fine shotgun is an investment that will continue to gain value and can literally be enjoyed for hundreds of years to come.
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Extra Services For Your Gun
Beyond just maintaining your firearms, here is where you put some money towards the "art" of the gun. The benefit in having your work done here is that we will always advise you on how the changes you are making will ultimately affect the sale value of your firearm down the line. We specialize in the history of these guns, the selling market, and what buyers/collectors are looking at.
Examples:
Repair cracks or chips and make them invisible, grain lines blended to perfection. Take a so-so finish and have us strip it, fill in grain/pores, and re-finish to whatever result you desire (high gloss, mid gloss, matte, etc). Make your gun lighter and give it a sleek European style stock by removing the pistol grip and making it straight stocked. Go all out with a Purdey-style leather covered pad. Re-engrave the receiver to factory engraving and full case color. Need a second set of barrels for more shooting versatility? We will find a set for you and fit them up, engraved to match.
Repair cracks or chips and make them invisible, grain lines blended to perfection. Take a so-so finish and have us strip it, fill in grain/pores, and re-finish to whatever result you desire (high gloss, mid gloss, matte, etc). Make your gun lighter and give it a sleek European style stock by removing the pistol grip and making it straight stocked. Go all out with a Purdey-style leather covered pad. Re-engrave the receiver to factory engraving and full case color. Need a second set of barrels for more shooting versatility? We will find a set for you and fit them up, engraved to match.
Full Gun Restorations
Anything you want, we can build. We have customers do full restorations for many reasons. You may be taller, and need a longer length of pull than usually found in the vintage doubles. You may want a matching pair to a gun you already own. Or simply, you want to pick the wood on your gun, and you want it built to your specifications. We can find a gun that will fit your restoration needs, and take care of the whole process start to finish. The owner, Jay Shachter, will oversee this entire process with you.
1. Establish your dimensions. Discuss the vision for project with our guidance.
2. Pick your wood. Stock shaped and fit to receiver.
3. Engraving
4. Case coloring
5. Finishing work. Fine checkering, hand rubbed oil finishes.
6. Custom built case to store gun, if desired.
2. Pick your wood. Stock shaped and fit to receiver.
3. Engraving
4. Case coloring
5. Finishing work. Fine checkering, hand rubbed oil finishes.
6. Custom built case to store gun, if desired.
Please see our "Restorations Gallery" for examples of our work!
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