Why the rust? Power was out?
By your wording I assume there was no fire dept. involved?

Jim

 

I suspect the fire department used water to extinguish the blaze and the OP was away for quite a period of time

 

I'm sorry to hear of your loss. It's amazing you had a fire and it was confined to one area. Once the insurance inspector/appraiser views everything, I would start working on those firearms that are meaningful to you. I'm not sure what would have made them rust heavily in a sealed safe unless some compound caused that when heated. The insurance adjuster may say the rust wasn't caused by the fire but simply by being sealed up for 4 months. I'd contact Fort Knox and get as much info as possible from them. I'm afraid you may be in for a protracted negotiation on an insurance settlement on the firearms just because there would have to be a connection between the fire and the rust.

Real gunsmiths on here will no doubt chime in with better information but after the adjuster gets all the info/pictures/descriptions, I would start wiping down the rust with whatever gun oil you prefer just to stabilize things. You may want to take the stocks off, btw did the stock finishes blister? Check the bores for rust. If they are ok, then possibly the guns can be polished and reblued.

Best of luck getting things settled and back in order. You may have a pretty good chance of getting used guns that will replace the working pieces but nothing can replace those that are special for some reason, like a rifle your father built.

 

The gypsum in fire resistant safes has trapped water in it. As the safe heats up it releases this moisture in the form of steam which absorbs heat and provides positive pressure to help seal the safe. Essentially your safe becomes a pressure cooker.

 

ABSOLUTE POSITIVE ANSWER..........Had a friend whose safe went through the same........IMMEDIATE oiling with oil or ATF fluid.........You will have to "card off" the rust..........Do ASAP.

 

So, I'm contemplating looking in the used market, for solid replacements with quality tools, rather than the custom performance kind. I wonder how to avoid something with a good name, but with substandard performance/condition.

For me, the fun is going to be in the use - not the search and load development of 'perfection'. Can I do that quickly in the used market?

Of course.

But this journey is one based on your budget, your goals, your values.. no one can define "solid, quality, good, substandard, fun" for you.

For me, anything used that is 20-40+ yrs old and still looks good probably is good.

 

Pictures would help. If the rust is not pitting, there is never a better time to explore rust bluing... which is an ugly way to say "belgian bluing", a deep, satin, black. Hard as diamonds.

Don't let this get to the pitting stage, but much recovery could be done as a home job, if you are somewhat handy. It's not rocket surgery and the biggest chemical is... steam.

 

the one local shop near me has redone a number of "fire" guns. they are salvageable, the sooner you get them to a shop the better,

 

I'll probably be more rational about the whole thing tomorrow.

Don't know what the insulation is - understand the chemistry - will look into the insulation material. Asking Ft Knox about the damage is good suggestion. think the safe didnt get hot enough to 'seal'. Safe has been in use over 10 years, unmoved, with zero issues.

Based on my electric bills I estimate fire was 2nd week July. Want some good pictures before anything gets moved - will do that tomorrow. No gun 'rider' on insurance - loss will be mine. Not a financial concern - but a big disturbance to my nice settled happy life. Functionally, my most used rifles and shotguns were with me - but my fall/winter/PD guns - the ones I want now, were in the safe. Worst case - I'll make do and accept some loaners I've been offered. Best case - and path to it remains obscure but will get focused attention tomorrow - maybe things will be better than first appearance. The question remains though - hmm, it answers itself - if online buyers were disappointed, the markets would fold. So, old classic, new wiz bang, or things aren't as bad as they seem.

 

Any plastic in the safe gives off fumes that cause rust also. Gun cases, things like that. I had a friend in a similar situation. He sent or carried 20 plus guns to Art's for reblueing. Brownings and a Perazzi. I think they "saved" all of them. Got on it early before the rust was deep enough to hurt them much. Time is not your friend right now,

 

Im so sorry. Any idea how the fire started?

 

I'm getting smarter - not happier. It seems fire was mid-July. Lots of heat and smoke, electric went out, much water created so hot moist for sometime after fire. Things are well rusted now. Don't kniw about bores yet but surface is substantial.

 

Several years ago, I owned a gunsmithing/bonded warehouse business.

A customer came home after a few days hunting in Maine only to find his basement full and overflowing with water.

He contacted his insurance company, and they could estimate repair/replacement costs for everything except his firearms.

We worked a deal with the insurance company where they paid us for an estimate/appraisal for repair/replacement. We used guns listed on online gun auction sites to gather and document replacement costs. We then provided estimates on what it would cost to repair each firearm. BTW – that was 7 years ago – our hourly rate was $85.00. We ended up billing the insurance company over 6K for our efforts. The customer had around 30 firearms.

The insurance company was VERY grateful for our efforts and gladly paid us for our efforts.

They then paid the customer for repair/replacement costs of his firearms.

The customer then had us, with his insurance money, repair most of his firearms.

Run this past your local gunsmith, they could make some money and help you out in the process.

 

I remember seeing a video on YouTube of a gentleman in the Carolinas, amazing gunsmith. His channel was called avil and he did some restorations of fire damaged firearms. As I think somebody said before me they rust blued and carded all the metal, lengthy process, but saved the firearm. Looks like you might have a ton of work to do but I'm sure it's worth it.

 

Kenneth & Nfent: thanks guys, very helpful. I've cleaned a couple to get a feel for things- not looking good. Just now got copy of full 60+ pages of my policy to read- the 2 page boilerplate that came with renewal looks promising. Ill keep this updated for everyone's interest.

 

No limitations on personal property (coverage C) For guns for peril of fire. The insurace company generally will pay a fair amount for your assistance in clearing-cleaning up damaged property. Talk to your agent for guidance.

 

Most "Homeowner Insurance" policies contain a limitation for "Theft" of firearms. Damage caused by Fire would usually not have a sub-limit other than the limit for "Personal Property". As mentioned in a previous post, there must be a causal link between the rust and the fire.

 

I think te causal link of fire to rust was well described above. Several handguns in sheepskin cases look good. Rust is widespread in the area - inside and outside the safe. The amount of soot throughout the house amazes me. Also that the fire went out and that no powder/primers ignited but shotgun shells melted.

My policy specifies replacement value - no depreciation- says nothing about appreciation - at time of fire. It appears many things - firearms, electronics, optics, art, shop in basement, more - are covered. The inventory and valuation will be time consuming. I'm wondering how/whether something should be restored or financially compensated is decided.

Policy provides method for settling value disputes but says nothing about utility disputes. I'm thinking we agree on something's value then I get to make a decision of full reimbursement (it becomes insurance company property) or it is restored and remains mine.

I'm learning from every post; helps me understand what the policy means, suggest questions/options for discussion with insurance company.

You all are being a big help - many thanks

 

Claims adjustment is simply a financial transaction with the insurance company usually paying the lessor of the cost to replace or the cost to repair. I would suggest speaking to restoration experts to determine if the firearms can be repaired and the cost for the restoration. I would also seek out what the cost is to replace the firearms, which could be challenging, especially if that firearm is no longer being made. If the firearm is no longer in production, you should be entitled to a brand new firearm of comparable quality.

 

Thanks Jan- very helpful