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My son just got me a sweet 1887 12 ga 41488 is it worth getting a Letter(never got one) I would never sell it but just for info and how far should I clean stock and surface rust or not at all. the barrel is smooth. Do You have to shoot black powder shells or can it handle bird shot.
November 7, 2015
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Jim-
IMHO your 1887 should NOT be fired with modern ammunition. A 12ga 2 3/4” shell will likely fit Your chamber but your shotgun was chambered for the 12ga 2 5/8’’ black powder shell. A modern smokeless powder shell will not have room to open fully in the shorter chamber, the resulting constriction and the higher pressures of smokeless powder will combine to result in a disastrous situation. It probably won’t happen the first time, but you will notice more recoil than you expected. It may not happen the 20th or even the hundredth time you pull the trigger but someday it will happen and your face will be mere inches from a catastrophic failure of a metallic structure. I don’t know about you but that’s not somewhere I want to be.
I think shells may be available for you shotgun and I know shells can be loaded to the proper length and pressure. Please don’t fire this shotgun with modern ammo.
Mike
Black powder or low pressure smokeless are what should be used. That stated, the bigger issue is the shell length. The Model 1887 was designed for a maximum 2-⅝” length shell. It is unsafe to shoot it with modern 2-¾” (or longer) 12-ga shells.
In regards to cleaning it, any active rust should be dealt with, but do nothing more than that to the steel. If you do not know how to neutralize and remove the rust, let me know. You can clean the stocks with any quality wood furniture cleaning oil.
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
November 7, 2015
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Jim-
Sorry, neglected to answer your other questions. Yes, a Cody letter could prove interesting. I would hold off on the cleaning until you post pics. Sometimes cleaning is a bad idea, if you’ll post good pics we may be able to provide some guidance.
Mike
Thanks does any one were I can order shells. I will post pictures and work getting a letter were is best to start.would like to know best thing to do with rust Bert
Contact via email at [email protected]
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
Under normal circumstances these can be ordered but I’m not aware who may have some IN stock.
If you reload you can load your own.
RST has what you need – 12 Gauge (rstshells.com)
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
Thanks Bert. I could use some for my 2-5/8″ 10 ga. I might buy some 2-7/8″ to test the length. You know that the 2-7/8″ brass will not slip into my 1887 but 2-5/8″ does. I have never tried a plastic or paper case.
Chuck said
Thanks Bert. I could use some for my 2-5/8″ 10 ga. I might buy some 2-7/8″ to test the length. You know that the 2-7/8″ brass will not slip into my 1887 but 2-5/8″ does. I have never tried a plastic or paper case.
You are welcome. I have purchased the 2-1/2″ 16-ga shells for my early production Model 1897.
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
After seeing the pictures I would clean the wood and oil the metal. To clean the wood you can use a rag and soapy water, just not soaked with water or buy some good furniture polish/cleaner. I can’t recommend which one but others can. Then oil the wood and wipe off any excess. Allow the oil to absorb into the wood. If you see dry spots ad more oil. Oils go a long way on either the wood or metal so use it sparingly.
To clean the metal use a gun oil and a rag. Don’t use an abrasive of any type unless you have a lot of experience doing this. Then report what it looks like. Nothing you can do to remove pits but bad rust can be stabilized.
Would kroil be ok to soften it up. or not really and would hurt if it got on wood. There is a little looks like Harden Grease I guess , on top action. Not munch I thought kroil might take it off.the rust isn’t bad at all. I ordered some shells today from RST
Bayoujim said
Would kroil be ok to soften it up. or not really and would hurt if it got on wood. There is a little looks like Harden Grease I guess , on top action. Not munch I thought kroil might take it off.the rust isn’t bad at all. I ordered some shells today from RST
Kroil is perfectly fine on the steel, but not on the wood.
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
Almost any oil on the wood is not bad in small amounts. Just wipe off the excess. I’ve used so many different oils I couldn’t list them al. l Kroil and WD 40 are 2 that are almost always on my work bench and in a pinch I have used them both. Everyone has there favorites and that in it’s self proves there is no best choice.
I’m not aware of anyone that has ever used an oil that did damage. I don’t mean letting excess oil soak for years. A lot of wives tales out there.
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