I have been looking for a 32-20 Model 1899 for some time and rarely see them for sale. The company only made 5000 total and it has been a long search. I finally found one that was well used but not abused. I received it a couple weeks ago and it seemed to function well, but the surface rust needed to go and the remaining nickel needed a little polish.
I was able to remove every screw without soaking and they looked like they had either never been removed or they were seldom turned. I had a big surprise when I removed the sideplate. I have cleaned up many old revolvers, some not functioning when I bought them, but working perfectly after cleaning. This one worked perfectly in spite of the crud.
There have been many threads about cleaning up the insides of these old revolvers, but I wanted to add some pictures to show those who have not taken an old revolver apart what might be waiting for them. I soaked the parts overnight in acetone, but still had to use a stiff bristle brush and fine steel wool to get all the varnish off.
The clean-up went well and it now shows the dedication and talent that true hand finishing and fitting looked like at the turn of the Twentieth Century.
Before
I was able to remove every screw without soaking and they looked like they had either never been removed or they were seldom turned. I had a big surprise when I removed the sideplate. I have cleaned up many old revolvers, some not functioning when I bought them, but working perfectly after cleaning. This one worked perfectly in spite of the crud.
There have been many threads about cleaning up the insides of these old revolvers, but I wanted to add some pictures to show those who have not taken an old revolver apart what might be waiting for them. I soaked the parts overnight in acetone, but still had to use a stiff bristle brush and fine steel wool to get all the varnish off.
The clean-up went well and it now shows the dedication and talent that true hand finishing and fitting looked like at the turn of the Twentieth Century.
Before
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