How to Repair an Antique Shotgun with SSF-6 Silver Solder

Ithaca shotguns were originally manufactured in 1937 in response to the Remington Model 17. Because this pump-action shotgun both loads and ejects shells from the bottom, the Ithaca has become a popular choice for left-handed shooters.

Rich Shoop (The Gun Slinger, Mt. Ayr, Indiana) was hired to restore this antique Ithaca, and discovered a missing piece on the barrel.  After reconstructing a custom part, Rich called Muggy Weld for assistance, and opted to reattach the piece with SSF-6 56% Silver Solder.

Prior to making the repair, Rich sandblasted all the steel parts to remove any impurities and oxidation.  While SSF-6’s unique flux coating is specially formulated to provide twice the cleansing action of conventional flux coatings, pre-cleaning the base metal will ensure a superior bond and will require less flux to achieve said bond.

After sand-blasting the steel parts, he used an oxyacetylene torch to braze the steel, removed excess flux quickly and easily with warm water and a wire brush, then powder coated the shotgun to finish the repair.

Tips:

  • Never heat metal bright red, as this can impede the flow of SSF-6
  • Broadly preheating beforehand reduces the surrounding metal from pulling heat away from the targeted area
  • Allow the flux to work momentarily before adding the rod
  • Flow out each drop of rod before depositing more
  • Almost any torch can be used, including: propane, MAPP gas, natural gas and air, straight acetylene, or oxyacetylene
  • Cheap brass tips do not work well in most cases, a trigger start torch or Bernzomatic BZ8250HT Torch is recommended
  • If the rod is in place and you want more flow, add more flux
  • After brazing, let the part air cool naturally to achieve the highest strength

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