I was involved in the same situation about 5-6 years ago. A relative had a fire and many guns were damaged. The damage to the metal was caused by acidic soot,ash,smoke, & very little water run off. I helped him out with about 20+ guns. Yes, 1st the insurance co had their say towards the claim. I 1st broke them down the best I could, wiped, & evaluated them. They were previously wiped down just a day or 2 after the fire, which was a day or 2 late. If the guns were not covered, the soot made it's way into the trigger group area & messed things up.
I sent the barrels of 2 O/U's to get hot reblued locally, $150+. Some low dollar guns I used 'rust remover' from Brownells & then the oxpho blue. A muzzle-loader I used as parts & ordered a new barrel. I had a mini-14 that had an issue with a 'factory only' replacement part. I called then sent it to Ruger with an explanation(fire), & they sold a replacement 'at cost'. They kept the fire tarnished gun. Even the local hot reblue job was not as nice as the original factory finish.
So in the end I had some that were almost good as new, one new,some cheaper 'camp guns'. That acidic smoke/soot really does a number on the metal. Heat was never an issue in this fire. My smith later said "you have to wipe/clean the guns as the dept is reeling up the hoses after the fire". Of course other things are usually going on. The insurance co was O.K., but they never came out ahead on the deal.
