Why didn't they rust?

[guntownuncle]

I've got two Winchesters now. A Model 94 and a 1300 shotgun. Despite being fairly well taken care of both have gotten small rust spots. I assume they were caused by small water droplets from who-knows-where outdoors, sweat, or even someone sneezing from across the room. So how is it that back in the old days guns didn't rust solid? Take a cowboy on a cattle drive for example. You've got rain, river crossings, lots of sweat. I doubt they had time to properly care for their guns every time they got wet. Is the metal used just that much more crappier now?

 

[DGNY]

Rust?

Mebbe 'cause the relative humidity was low as their spending money? Simpler steel?

Regards,

Dyson

 

[conn ak]

The old guns did rust. Read somewhere that plains "Indians" would carry rifles glistening with animal fat to protect them from rust.

 

[Gutpile Charlie]

Hey, they did rust! Haven't you seen old rifles and shotguns with a coat of "patina" on them? That just means they rusted, got buffed with use, etc....till they really don't rust much anymore.

I've one or two ancient military rifles like that. Hey, they are so "patinaed" they can't possible rust anymore!

 

[pred]

There is something to be said about oil from your skin, Plus when used as a tool day in and day out, things tend to change but you really dont notice.
Now go look at your or a friends tools that are used nearly every day, They are used and beat up looking, But not rusty, Now toss one in your basement and look at it 1 year later... Wow, They can get rusty quick when not used....
So to wrap it up.
I cant say......
Just seems to me that tools used each day dont rust nearly as quick as ones used daily.
Peter

 

[willy]

What Gutpile said.

I've got a few guns that have very little blueing left from years of holster wear and weather beating on them.
But they have a nice grey-brown? where the blue has worn away.
The grips are bare steel still shine like they are stainless!

 

[Centenniel]

I've got two Winchesters now. A Model 94 and a 1300 shotgun. Despite being fairly well taken care of both have gotten small rust spots. I assume they were caused by small water droplets from who-knows-where outdoors, sweat, or even someone sneezing from across the room. So how is it that back in the old days guns didn't rust solid? Take a cowboy on a cattle drive for example. You've got rain, river crossings, lots of sweat. I doubt they had time to properly care for their guns every time they got wet. Is the metal used just that much more crappier now?

The steels used now are actually far better than the ones used then.