I have an old (dates printed are patents from Feb 20th & 27th, 1900 and May 14th, 1901). Harrington & Richardson 12ga shotgun that’s very very rusted and would need some work to be safe to fire again. I found it while cleaning out my father’s basement after he passed away last year. How does one go about getting rid of an unwanted firearm in the state of PA?
Have you talked with your local gun store? Local sheriff?
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Take the weapons to your local police station, they can dispose of them.
Larry
…but call them first.
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That is a very fine point.
Larry
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I’d check with Numrich Gun Parts or similar first----maybe they’ll buy it for parts
Or keep it as a decoy—a thief breaks into your house, finds your gun and splits, but the gun is junk and they didn’t poke around long enough to find your safe,
Wall hanger.
Try fixing it yourself. A self taught course in gunsmithing. Maybe you don’t want a shotgun, but the lessons learned and tools acquired will transfer to other firearms. Maybe good skills to develop they way things are headed as there are fewer and fewer gunsmiths practicing the art. If you booger the job it’s no great loss, take it to Joe & Beto’s buy back show and get a gift card for Walmart.
If you actually can make the poor thing safe, you’ll have an heirloom courtesy of your dad
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Watched a few videos of a guy the restores very old & very rusted firearms. Perhaps you could have a new hobby.
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Keep an eye out for any of those silly “gun buybacks”.
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I often take guns just as you mentioned and turn them into wall art. Some folks like the look of a framed single shot but don’t want the liability of a “real” gun. Granted it will always be a “real” gun but it can be made inoperable through various means. As long as the gun has no significant historical value then punching a hole in the barrel / Chamber area and fitting a through and through bolt as well as booger welding the internals may make for a very fine piece of wall art for a suitably themed restaurant / bar or other establishment.
I have three of them (different makes and models) in the corner now with very nice walnut furniture but no hope of ever making them a viable bang stick. They are fun to work on and useful for tuning up your bluing skills or experimenting with different coatings for the metal and finishes for the wood. At best you could turn it into a one shot wonder gun for your truck/car/ camper/ cabin the woods / above the door gun. You’d be amazed at how much time a blast from a 12 Ga can buy you.
Cheers,
Craig6
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Yes 
My rifle becomes inoperable when I drop the magazine. 
Sorry, I know what you mean. There are any number of ways to render a firearm inoperable; some are reversible, and others are not. And I’m sure every state has different regulations on this, as well.
Send it to me , I ve been looking for one of those, Seriously
I will clean it up, and use it
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Email me
I second @John292 , see what you can learn from it.
Inspired by a cousin who’s a machinist, I once bought a Chinese T53 to know the inner workings of a firearm.
Not much gunsmithing involved but it satisfied my curiosity. It’s in the safe and like @Craig6 , I plan to hang it on the wall-without the bolt and bayonet.
Two of my favorite shotguns growing up was the double barrel 12 gauge Winchester my grandpa gave my dad (crack barrel) and a 20gauge single shot crack barrel. My aunt went nuts on my dad and destroyed them. Still pisses me off but I understand their motivation. Dad kept threatening everyone when he got drunk. That’s why I didn’t have a good relationship with him since I was in high school. He sealed the coffin when he threatened my wife.
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You can lso disassemble it and out it in a hydra sonic cleaner
Like @Arnie_W said. Take the guts out. Clean up the outside and keep it as a momento.
One other thing. Give the gun grabbers nothing. No turn in. No nothing!
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