When I was 16 my father gave me several handguns that were on a wall in a bar. Someone covered the handguns with a lacquer finish.

How can I remove the lacquer? Would a paint stripper work?

Dane

Lacquer thinner or aircraft stripper.

Both are nasty, wear gloves and a respirator.

Thanks!

Formby's furniture refinisher removes lacquer very quickly.  These chems may remove bluing too, so maybe do a test under the grips if you care about that. 

Gotta ask, what make model handguns?

iPhone double tap.

Would think that acetone may strip it off too, worth a try as it shouldn't effect the bluing.

Here are the Pistols. The semi auto is really gummed up from the Lacquer. I will be researching their values soon.

1. 1886 32 caliber H&R The American Double Action, The American, Double Action on barrel. Not any visible serial number, (under Grip Panel). This was sprayed with Lacquer. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QkIpuDNddA8

2.US Revolver Co. Made by Iver Johnson. Serial Number 34586. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S6zkZQEFU08

3.Engraved with words written in scroll. Maybe German, can’t read it. Serial number appears to be 800 or 808.

4.Harrington & Richardson Arms Co. Worcester Mass. USA Patent OCT 8, 1895. It seems this is the 5th variation and was made for only one year in 1915. Serial number  232040. https://www.thefirearmsforum.com/threads/harrington-richardson-32-cal-s-w-ctge-pat-oct-8-1895.64935/

5.Spanish Semi Auto Serial number 5466. This was sprayed with lacquer.