Smith & Wesson Forum

Go Back   Smith & Wesson Forum > Smith & Wesson Revolvers > S&W Antiques
o

Notices

S&W Antiques S&W Lever Action Pistols, Tip-Up Revolvers, ALL Top-Break Revolvers, and ALL Single Shots


Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 05-25-2010, 05:03 PM
H Richard's Avatar
H Richard H Richard is offline
US Veteran
Cleaning surface rust off blued model 1 1/2 "Now with Picture" Cleaning surface rust off blued model 1 1/2 "Now with Picture" Cleaning surface rust off blued model 1 1/2 "Now with Picture" Cleaning surface rust off blued model 1 1/2 "Now with Picture" Cleaning surface rust off blued model 1 1/2 "Now with Picture"  
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: West Central IL
Posts: 22,758
Likes: 18,437
Liked 22,313 Times in 8,245 Posts
Default Cleaning surface rust off blued model 1 1/2 "Now with Picture"

I just acquired a 1 1/2 blued .32 Single Action. It has surface rust, not down into the metal yet, but close. I have removed the grips (Mottled Red, one of the reasons I bought it) and opened the side plate and have cleaned it and it is soaking in Kroil right now. The bore looked horrible, but has cleaned up surprisingly well. It does not appear to be pitted, but a little surface rust in it also. I have bronze wool to use after it soaks in kroil for a day or two.

Can anyone recommend any better way to clean the rust off and stop it?
Soon as I can get it cleaned up I'll post pictures. I'm planning to display it in my office in a shadowbox along with a 1 1/2 Nickle one I already have.

Yes, the mottled red grips are numbered to the gun. I do not think the gun has ever been fired or if so, very little. The diamonds on the grip are still sharp, indicating no wear.
__________________
H Richard
SWCA1967 SWHF244

Last edited by H Richard; 05-27-2010 at 03:56 PM. Reason: Add photo and info
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 05-25-2010, 06:34 PM
1 old 0311 1 old 0311 is offline
Banned
Cleaning surface rust off blued model 1 1/2 "Now with Picture" Cleaning surface rust off blued model 1 1/2 "Now with Picture" Cleaning surface rust off blued model 1 1/2 "Now with Picture" Cleaning surface rust off blued model 1 1/2 "Now with Picture" Cleaning surface rust off blued model 1 1/2 "Now with Picture"  
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Indy
Posts: 1,164
Likes: 0
Liked 109 Times in 53 Posts
Default

A pencil eraser will get a lot of it off without being too rough on the finish.
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 05-25-2010, 07:01 PM
maxbnc maxbnc is offline
US Veteran
Cleaning surface rust off blued model 1 1/2 "Now with Picture"  
Join Date: May 2008
Location: troutman nc
Posts: 75
Likes: 14
Liked 7 Times in 5 Posts
Default

I have used the brass part of GI 5.56 stripper clip with good results, and of course a good lube.
The brass strip is much more controlable than some things I have seen suggested. By that I mean you can focus on a tiny area if needed. This method worked well for me, though others may not like it.
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 05-25-2010, 07:37 PM
Skeeziks Skeeziks is offline
Member
Cleaning surface rust off blued model 1 1/2 "Now with Picture" Cleaning surface rust off blued model 1 1/2 "Now with Picture" Cleaning surface rust off blued model 1 1/2 "Now with Picture" Cleaning surface rust off blued model 1 1/2 "Now with Picture" Cleaning surface rust off blued model 1 1/2 "Now with Picture"  
Join Date: Apr 2010
Posts: 561
Likes: 0
Liked 10 Times in 8 Posts
Default

G96 Gun Treatment and some "Big 45 Frontier Metal Cleaner" will make the rust dissappear.

If you're not familiar with "Big 45" click here:Big 45 Frontier Metal Cleaner
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 05-26-2010, 10:30 AM
H Richard's Avatar
H Richard H Richard is offline
US Veteran
Cleaning surface rust off blued model 1 1/2 "Now with Picture" Cleaning surface rust off blued model 1 1/2 "Now with Picture" Cleaning surface rust off blued model 1 1/2 "Now with Picture" Cleaning surface rust off blued model 1 1/2 "Now with Picture" Cleaning surface rust off blued model 1 1/2 "Now with Picture"  
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: West Central IL
Posts: 22,758
Likes: 18,437
Liked 22,313 Times in 8,245 Posts
Default

This appears to be exactly the same as the Cylinder & Slide de-leading wool that I use for cleaning my barrels. Never thought about using it for cleaning rust.
__________________
H Richard
SWCA1967 SWHF244
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 05-27-2010, 03:55 PM
H Richard's Avatar
H Richard H Richard is offline
US Veteran
Cleaning surface rust off blued model 1 1/2 "Now with Picture" Cleaning surface rust off blued model 1 1/2 "Now with Picture" Cleaning surface rust off blued model 1 1/2 "Now with Picture" Cleaning surface rust off blued model 1 1/2 "Now with Picture" Cleaning surface rust off blued model 1 1/2 "Now with Picture"  
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: West Central IL
Posts: 22,758
Likes: 18,437
Liked 22,313 Times in 8,245 Posts
Default

Here's a picture of the little 1 1/2 CF.32 S&W. I estimating the age at about 1888 to 1890. I'll have to wait until Roy gets back from Italy to get a better ship date. 3 1/2" barrel, Blued. The finish is now cleaned pretty well, unfortunately the surface rust had started etching some into the finish. The bore cleaned better than I thought, and has good rifling with minimal pitting. It was either not shot much at all or cleaned well. It is as tight as a new gun. Since I have some ammo for it, this will most likely have to be shot.

The blue finish and the mottled red grips sold me on it as soon as I saw it. The grips are in outstanding condition, and numbered to the gun.
__________________
H Richard
SWCA1967 SWHF244
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 05-27-2010, 04:08 PM
Crabtree Crabtree is offline
SWCA Member
Cleaning surface rust off blued model 1 1/2 "Now with Picture" Cleaning surface rust off blued model 1 1/2 "Now with Picture" Cleaning surface rust off blued model 1 1/2 "Now with Picture" Cleaning surface rust off blued model 1 1/2 "Now with Picture" Cleaning surface rust off blued model 1 1/2 "Now with Picture"  
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: East TN
Posts: 461
Likes: 55
Liked 198 Times in 32 Posts
Default

Those grips are outstanding. I know nothing about the older top breaks. Were those grips a common option or more along the lines of a special order? The innovation and craftsmanship exhibited over a century ago is astounding. Makes you wonder what some of those same minds could do today given modern tools.
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 05-27-2010, 05:25 PM
TACC1 TACC1 is offline
US Veteran
Cleaning surface rust off blued model 1 1/2 "Now with Picture" Cleaning surface rust off blued model 1 1/2 "Now with Picture" Cleaning surface rust off blued model 1 1/2 "Now with Picture" Cleaning surface rust off blued model 1 1/2 "Now with Picture" Cleaning surface rust off blued model 1 1/2 "Now with Picture"  
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Wautoma, WI 54982
Posts: 4,118
Likes: 6,564
Liked 799 Times in 499 Posts
Default

That's a really great looking firearm you have there.
Does that use 32 S&W center-fire rounds? I may have been missing something special. Didn't know there were
any blued ones still around.
I'm really anxious to see your range report, if you do test it. Thanks for sharing, TACC1.
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 05-28-2010, 09:09 AM
twaits's Avatar
twaits twaits is offline
Member
 
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Windham, Maine
Posts: 1,392
Likes: 47
Liked 620 Times in 142 Posts
Default

Those grips are beautiful.
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 05-28-2010, 10:02 AM
H Richard's Avatar
H Richard H Richard is offline
US Veteran
Cleaning surface rust off blued model 1 1/2 "Now with Picture" Cleaning surface rust off blued model 1 1/2 "Now with Picture" Cleaning surface rust off blued model 1 1/2 "Now with Picture" Cleaning surface rust off blued model 1 1/2 "Now with Picture" Cleaning surface rust off blued model 1 1/2 "Now with Picture"  
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: West Central IL
Posts: 22,758
Likes: 18,437
Liked 22,313 Times in 8,245 Posts
Default

I don't know if the grips were special order, or what. SCSW3 didn't mention other than they were rare. Also, the blued version is scarce. This is the first one I have actually had ahold of, although I have seen a couple pictures previously.

Yes, it is caliber .32 S&W CF.

I've been trying to determine a value, and think maybe condition of antique VG to fine, around $300, with blued being a maybe a 20% bump to $360 and the grips adding maybe another (?) $50, bringing it up to just over $400(?).

Appreciate any input.
__________________
H Richard
SWCA1967 SWHF244

Last edited by H Richard; 05-28-2010 at 10:04 AM.
Reply With Quote
  #11  
Old 05-28-2010, 12:46 PM
cflier cflier is offline
Member
Cleaning surface rust off blued model 1 1/2 "Now with Picture" Cleaning surface rust off blued model 1 1/2 "Now with Picture"  
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: puget sound
Posts: 769
Likes: 0
Liked 27 Times in 13 Posts
Default

Nice looking old spur trigger revolver. I think you might be able to add $50 to $100 to that grip value.

Mark
__________________
Mark Connot
Reply With Quote
  #12  
Old 05-28-2010, 07:15 PM
gunlovingirl's Avatar
gunlovingirl gunlovingirl is offline
Member
Cleaning surface rust off blued model 1 1/2 "Now with Picture" Cleaning surface rust off blued model 1 1/2 "Now with Picture" Cleaning surface rust off blued model 1 1/2 "Now with Picture" Cleaning surface rust off blued model 1 1/2 "Now with Picture" Cleaning surface rust off blued model 1 1/2 "Now with Picture"  
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: MI
Posts: 6,305
Likes: 922
Liked 870 Times in 256 Posts
Default

I'm no expert, but I believe you could get well over $400. Those grips are gorgeous!
__________________
Misty
Reply With Quote
Reply

Tags
model 1

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
Forum Jump

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
FOUND, PLEASE CLOSE -WTB Gold Picture Box 6.5" blued, 38/44 Heavy Duty model of 1950 Elkslayer49 WANTED to Buy 11 12-27-2012 09:17 PM
Surface Rust danno1 Smith & Wesson M&P15 Rifles 6 12-19-2012 02:32 AM
Model 60 - surface rust advice Dr. Klopek S&W Revolvers: 1980 to the Present 16 11-29-2012 08:44 PM
Cleaning Old Revolvers With Surface Rust and Light Pitting PMRet S&W Hand Ejectors: 1896 to 1961 31 08-16-2011 02:41 PM
Removing rust from a blued surface keithherrington S&W Revolvers: 1980 to the Present 8 05-31-2009 09:48 AM

Powered by vBadvanced CMPS v3.2.3
smith-wessonforum.com tested by Norton Internet Security smith-wessonforum.com tested by McAfee Internet Security

All times are GMT -4. The time now is 11:51 AM.


Smith-WessonForum.com is not affiliated with Smith & Wesson Holding Corporation (NASDAQ Global Select: SWHC)