Need help dating a rusty old revolver

[xfabianromerox]

 

[delcrossv]

It's getting there, but I'd give it another week or two in the ATF/acetone mix. It's not like you can "oversoak" it. Just give it a little shake every day to keep things moving along.

When the last of the surface rust is gone ,including inside the chambers & barrel, then it's time to move onto the next step.

 

[trevorsworth]

That is coming along very nicely. In the first pictures you posted, it really almost looked "relic" condition. It's always amazing how much original finish can be saved by simple patience and sympathy.

 

[LittleCooner]

great job, This gun is going to look great in the end.

 

[merl67]

Looking much better some more soaking in the Trans/Acetone solution will help.

 

[mikerjf]

Very informative thread!

Have you gentlemen heard of using molasses and water to remove rust? I've done this with motorcycle parts; it is quite gentle. Usual method is mix 10% molasses to 90% water and submerge parts for a month or more. I was wondering if this would work on firearms and would it affect bluing?

We cycle guys know the atf/acetone mix as a penetrating oil. Used liberally with maybe some heat-cycling to help draw it into threads is the shizzle for getting decades-abandoned bikes apart.

 

[Hondo44]

Which ever solution one uses, the real secret is constant agitation, in a case tumbler, back of a pickup, or the best, a vibrating cleaning machine.

ATF, good old tranny fluid:

None of the other products have or will ever have the years and level of research and engineering to remove crud and/or rust, keep spotless, and sustain the life of a $4000+ and higher, piece of high tech equipment; your automatic transmission! It's also the least expensive product.

 

[daddio202]

I been watching this thread since the beginning. I give the op credit for being patient and doing this restoration the right way. Almost there. That little gun is a beauty and well worth the effort. It will pay off in the end with a beautiful semi-rare well functioning piece from the past. Good job!!!!!

 

[Hondo44]

When done cleaning you can polish with Semichrome, Flitz polish or Mother's Mag Wheel polish, and then wax with Renaissance Wax.

Any crevices that still have rust showing can be cleaned out with the above polishes using a tooth brush. Cut the bristles shorter if too flexible. If you have a stubborn rust spot like inside the cyl chambers or barrel bore, you can resort to 0000 bronze wool (no steel wool) wrapped around a handgun barrel cleaning brush and rod using the polish.

Great work so far!

 

[raljr1]

And will end up with a fun revolver to shoot that is likely worth well over $1000.

The OP has done a nice job so far, and thanks to all of the members here who have offered their advice.

I buy and renovate houses and all I ever find is tax returns from 1981 and old bed parts in the attic...

Robert

 

[xfabianromerox]

Thank you all of you for the encouragment and advice! I'll be updating in a few days.

 

[xfabianromerox]

 

[xfabianromerox]

 

[xfabianromerox]

 

[xfabianromerox]

Two more weeks in the 50/50 mix and it's a bit better. Maybe it's time to move onto the bronze wool?

 

[4WHLDRFTN]

How many hunnerd dolla bills in that stack?

Dale

..... $5000.00

 

[xfabianromerox]

Any advice on finishing her up gentleman?

 

[delcrossv]

Looks like you're at the oil+bronze wool stage. Lite touch, but looking good. A good scrubbing of the bore and chambers with a bronze bore brush+oil is also indicated.

Then just a wipe off of the oil and take her to the range .

 

[DCWilson]

In case it wasn't mentioned above, I'll just throw out the tip that you can use dental floss, round toothpicks (or better, the slightly heavier hors d'oeuvre skewers that are about 1/8 inch in diameter and about for or five inches long -- available at just about any supermarket) and a stiff-bristle toothbrush to work resistant bits of grime out of corners and crevices. The floss is particularly good for cleaning gunk out of the space between the barrel shank and the top frame of the revolver. You can use the wooden picks almost as a pinpoint oiler if you want to put some solvent right on an exact spot that needs more work. It's not necessary to flood the whole surface with fluid when you are working on a tiny spot of rust.

 

[merl67]

Love seeing the progress, and the OP's patience most would have taken the poor thing to a wire wheel thereby destroying any remaining original finish. I thought everyone would enjoy seeing a few of his work in progress photos together. Great work !