To restore, or not to restore...that is the...well you know.

TinmanIA · 09-21-2013, 12:38 AM

I just snagged me a new to me Ithaca Model 72 saddle gun, made in West Germany.

I paid a whopping $100 bucks for it, my gun dealer cut me a sweet deal. He does that from time to time.

So as you can see in the crappy pic the receiver finish, paint so far as I can tell is discoloured, the other side is scratched up bad. The Bluing on the lever, and barrel are not pitted, but they are rusty. The wood is in good shape, minor dings, the front hand guard to receiver mating is loose. The action is smooth, and the trigger is nice, I can tell they will be awesome after I give it its first cleaning in who knows how long. The bore looks good even dirty.

Ill probably take it out this year to get Squirrels with my friends dad, not really thinking on selling it, so what do y'all think, Restore, or leave it as is.

JD Miller · 09-21-2013, 01:00 AM

Id just scrub it with Kroil. Rust prevents rust, oil it

Not sure what ya got there. you said "paint" ? Huh ? ?

Dont know what is worth but, I wouldnt devalue it by sanding on it if its got some value

Looks like it might hold more than 10 .22 rounds

That old German stuff is usualy top quality. I have a old Herters power mag, 44 mag revolver. It is a very nice fit and finish gun

JD Miller · 09-21-2013, 01:11 AM

Hunert bucks might be about right

http://www.gunauction.com/buy/106534...action-carbine

Joe Hadenuff · 09-21-2013, 02:33 AM

Cleanthat dirty bitch up! Its yours and you know you want to.Its not like its Chuck Conners personal rifle.Who collects Ithacas anyway.AND NO DUROCOAT PAINT BULLSHIT!
Whoever invented painting guns,should have it stuffed up they ass.Call me old school,I dont care.OK,I'm thru sorry.

mr-ak-47 · 09-21-2013, 08:24 AM

...used "kotton Kleaner" on the wood, just brush it on,...sit...wipe off...removes only dirt and shit...leaves the finish took alot of crap off a dirty mosin that now is a real nice looker and has not the personality of the rifle any.

Brightblade · 09-21-2013, 10:44 AM

sorry I voted "want to push a button" made me laugh.

I say clean the living shit out of that rifle and leave her as is.

Edit to add: as of this posting you have a freaking tie on weather to restore it or not

Enforcer · 09-21-2013, 11:53 AM

I'd have it reblued, especially if the bore is nice and the action is smooth.

Rick-a-Roo · 09-21-2013, 06:04 PM

Clean it up; shoot it.

Refinish it; shoot it.

For a c-note, it's yours to do (or not do) whatever you want to do with it; it's never gonna be a collectible, investment grade gun (

), so as long as you enjoy it you should be happy.

Just my two penn'orth.

Joe Hadenuff · 09-21-2013, 06:11 PM

Is it done yet?

10 Bears · 09-21-2013, 06:34 PM

Well, what was your decision?
Did you order a heavy barrel, buy some new wood, and use a brass brush on it?
Actually a good steel brush will remove everything.
followed by coarse sandpaper.
Then maybe use a bead blaster, or plain old sand to remove all the markings.
Hell, a sand blaster will even get rid of the serial numbers, if you want.

ESSOHBE · 09-21-2013, 08:03 PM

I'd do it. I like to clean old rifles up if there's time. You can make that thing shine.
Post pics if you do it!

2rogers · 09-21-2013, 08:47 PM

your piece, your call. May i have permission to publicly scorn the critics?

TinmanIA · 09-21-2013, 10:29 PM

Still aint decided yet, course I aint had time to. I been helping a friend restore his old Monty carlo. I'm leaning to just leaving it as is so far, but the poll numbers are saying do it.

If I don't fix her up I'm just going to have to find another miss match, or sporterised surplus rifle to restore. Oh no, that means Ill need to buy another gun

boomerdog1 · 09-22-2013, 07:21 AM

Clean her up if you want, it'll still be a $100 gun. I've "restored" a few old .22's that looked like they were pulled out of a river when I got them. One of those guns is an old Mossberg 46b, turned out to be a real tack driver.

bounce · 09-24-2013, 10:49 AM

restore it to its previous glory...but I voted for the button push

View Poll Results: Restoration of the 72
Yes, shine that baby up.	11	55.00%
Hell no, leave her as is.	4	20.00%
I have no opinion and want to push a button.	5	25.00%
Voters: 20. You may not vote on this poll

09-21-2013, 12:38 AM	#1
TinmanIA Demon of the Midwest Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: In a room with no windows. Posts: 4,118	To restore, or not to restore...that is the...well you know. I just snagged me a new to me Ithaca Model 72 saddle gun, made in West Germany. I paid a whopping $100 bucks for it, my gun dealer cut me a sweet deal. He does that from time to time. So as you can see in the crappy pic the receiver finish, paint so far as I can tell is discoloured, the other side is scratched up bad. The Bluing on the lever, and barrel are not pitted, but they are rusty. The wood is in good shape, minor dings, the front hand guard to receiver mating is loose. The action is smooth, and the trigger is nice, I can tell they will be awesome after I give it its first cleaning in who knows how long. The bore looks good even dirty. Ill probably take it out this year to get Squirrels with my friends dad, not really thinking on selling it, so what do y'all think, Restore, or leave it as is. __________________ Don't you ever stand for that sort of thing. Someone ever tries to kill you, you try to kill 'em right back. 3% Throw Me To the Wolves, I Will Come Back Leading The Pack

09-21-2013, 01:00 AM	#2
JD Miller Fake Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: PNW Posts: 39,219	Id just scrub it with Kroil. Rust prevents rust, oil it Not sure what ya got there. you said "paint" ? Huh ? ? Dont know what is worth but, I wouldnt devalue it by sanding on it if its got some value Looks like it might hold more than 10 .22 rounds That old German stuff is usualy top quality. I have a old Herters power mag, 44 mag revolver. It is a very nice fit and finish gun __________________ .......

09-21-2013, 08:24 AM	#5
mr-ak-47 Massa di Avatars Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: In another Galaxy, another dimension, another time Posts: 25,604	...used "kotton Kleaner" on the wood, just brush it on,...sit...wipe off...removes only dirt and shit...leaves the finish took alot of crap off a dirty mosin that now is a real nice looker and has not the personality of the rifle any. __________________ . One person says something stupid, and the other stupid people hear him, and the next thing you know, you're getting tortured in a gulag. Welcome to democracy, where your rights depend on the howling of the mob. .

09-21-2013, 06:04 PM	#8
Rick-a-Roo Gaw' Blimey Limey Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Round behind the sleazy bars of Telephone Road Posts: 25,903	Clean it up; shoot it. Refinish it; shoot it. For a c-note, it's yours to do (or not do) whatever you want to do with it; it's never gonna be a collectible, investment grade gun (), so as long as you enjoy it you should be happy. Just my two penn'orth. __________________ zulu6 out

09-21-2013, 01:11 AM	#3
JD Miller Fake Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: PNW Posts: 39,219	Hunert bucks might be about right http://www.gunauction.com/buy/106534...action-carbine

09-21-2013, 02:33 AM	#4
Joe Hadenuff anti-socialist Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Whitelandia Posts: 726	Cleanthat dirty bitch up! Its yours and you know you want to.Its not like its Chuck Conners personal rifle.Who collects Ithacas anyway.AND NO DUROCOAT PAINT BULLSHIT! Whoever invented painting guns,should have it stuffed up they ass.Call me old school,I dont care.OK,I'm thru sorry.

09-21-2013, 10:44 AM	#6
Brightblade Paladin Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: apparently the wild west Posts: 2,509	sorry I voted "want to push a button" made me laugh. I say clean the living shit out of that rifle and leave her as is. Edit to add: as of this posting you have a freaking tie on weather to restore it or not

09-21-2013, 11:53 AM	#7
Enforcer Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Posts: 3,163	I'd have it reblued, especially if the bore is nice and the action is smooth.

09-21-2013, 06:11 PM	#9
Joe Hadenuff anti-socialist Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Whitelandia Posts: 726	Is it done yet?

09-21-2013, 06:34 PM	#10
10 Bears Moderator Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: E-Da-How Posts: 137,846	Well, what was your decision? Did you order a heavy barrel, buy some new wood, and use a brass brush on it? Actually a good steel brush will remove everything. followed by coarse sandpaper. Then maybe use a bead blaster, or plain old sand to remove all the markings. Hell, a sand blaster will even get rid of the serial numbers, if you want.

09-21-2013, 08:03 PM	#11
ESSOHBE Deplorable Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Space Station Posts: 801	I'd do it. I like to clean old rifles up if there's time. You can make that thing shine. Post pics if you do it!

09-21-2013, 08:47 PM	#12
2rogers Senior Member Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 3,504	your piece, your call. May i have permission to publicly scorn the critics?

09-21-2013, 10:29 PM	#13
TinmanIA Demon of the Midwest Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: In a room with no windows. Posts: 4,118	Still aint decided yet, course I aint had time to. I been helping a friend restore his old Monty carlo. I'm leaning to just leaving it as is so far, but the poll numbers are saying do it. If I don't fix her up I'm just going to have to find another miss match, or sporterised surplus rifle to restore. Oh no, that means Ill need to buy another gun

09-22-2013, 07:21 AM	#14
boomerdog1 Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Up a holler, Wv Posts: 48	Clean her up if you want, it'll still be a $100 gun. I've "restored" a few old .22's that looked like they were pulled out of a river when I got them. One of those guns is an old Mossberg 46b, turned out to be a real tack driver.

09-24-2013, 10:49 AM	#15
bounce Senile Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: 7310 ft .002 mach :N AZ Posts: 2,463	restore it to its previous glory...but I voted for the button push