Rust removal on antique gun

A. Kerri, other than chemically removing the rust, an economical solution to your problem would be to have the item sand blasted then you can paint it. Check your local yellow pages for Sandblasting, Beadblasting, etc.. Good luck, Jeff

A. Kerri,
I recently purchased an old Winchester 22 pump, and I ran in to the same problem with this gun. I talked to several people and the recommended sand blasting, but I didn't really like the Idea of that so I decided that I would try to clean it up myself. I took the whole gun apart and I bought a tooth brush type wire brush and some naval jelly rust remover.

I did it piece by piece and purchased a bluing kit.

and it turned out looking pretty good. If you don't like that idea, and would rather just have it done there is a company that will completely re do it for a reasonable price. [Hotflash Gun Refinishing Service, Paynes Creek, CA]. I hope some of this information is helpful to you.
Philip

A. Kerri if you still haven't finished that gun try a "BEAR-TEX' wheel by Norton.

They can be picked up at most auto body supply shops. Take down of the gun may be necessary. If you chuck the wheel up in a typical 3/8" drill or bench grinder, And work all affected parts gently , as to not remove any identifying marks or structural integrity, all rust and pitting will easily be removed. Along with an extra fine wire wheel to get in those tight places and final finishing, you'll be ready for a new bluing. Or if you choose to go for an antiqued finish cold blue it yourself.

A. Kerri,

Please don't sandblast or use a power tool/grinder/sandpaper/wirebrush on an antique weapon. My advise is ordering some CLP (cleaner, lubricant, preservative).
...covering the surface and scrubbing at it with an AP brush (tooth brush, same thing) over and over again wiping off the rusty liquid with a dry cloth as you continue the process...

If the weapon is VERY rusted it might be a long process... but would you really want to go at it with any other process than this? Wire brushes are a no go, no, they probably won't do much damage but still this is the direction I would go... used the same process with my grandfathers Newport model cn (1910-1926) when I pulled it out of storage after getting out of the marine corps... I'm a firm believer in CLP! haha. 00 steel wool [on eBay or Amazon] would be a reasonable option if you chose to do so. Im not sure when you posted this and I might be too late... if you chose any one of these options and it worked great then I'm glad. either way just thought id throw in my input... and by the way, not saying you will... but please don't sell this antique weapon... it saddens me knowing people do sell things like this that should be passed down as an heirloom. Thanks for reading!

-Seth

Q. A good friend of mine found a gun in his attic. I do not have the first clue an how to go about identifying it. IT is a single barrel with a hammer. I took some pictures and would be happy to share them with any one who could help me identify it. If you know how or where I could go about identifying this gun, please contact me.

Thanks,

Matt

Hi, Ed. Hi, Matt.

You posted your letter at a metal finishing site, and I unfortunately don't know much about identifying guns. But I'd give odds that your public library has books that show you how to proceed in the identification. I see "Modern Guns: Identification & Values", and note that there are at least another half-dozen books in the same genre available. Good luck.

A. Hi Russell. Unfortunately, bluing is millionths of an inch thick at best, not thousandths. No way will it survive rust removal with a Dremel tool.

You might investigate the value of the gun, as well as consider its sentimental value to you as your father's childhood toy, and consider having a metals conservator look at it. D-I-Y doesn't sound appropriate for a 150 year old item like this. An alternative if you want to display it is to have a gunsmith re-blue it. There may be some accepted way to remove the stock and then repair/replace bands. Good luck with it.

Regards,