Featured First restoration attempt

In a previous thread I made note of how I wanted to restore one of my antique pistols and the consensus was not to touch it.

I listened but have since acquired a number of antique pistols, one of which is in dire need to restoration and is missing a number of original parts so the value is already compromised.

The goals are as follow:

-Remove rust and tarnish and then polish the barrel
-Remove rust and tarnish and then polish the lock
-Restore dark spots in walnut stock to original color or attempt to lighten the spots
-Fabricate new forend/nose cap
-Fabricate new ramrod

After a substantial amount of effort with 0000 steel wool and metal polish, I decided to go with first 400 girt sandpaper, and then opted to go to 320 grit and this finally removed all of the corrosion. I think the 0000 steel wool and the 400 sandpaper just weren't coarse enough but the 320 did a great job.

Unfortunately, as can be seen, a substantial amount of the lock remains tarnished. There are a few spots that are peeking through where the metal shines, but the rest is heavily blackened out and I'm not sure how to get that out. I went back with the 0000 steel wool and metal polish and had no luck. Any ideas? Perhaps a Dremel and some heavier polish?

I also attempted to get the dark stains out of the wood and failed. I'm looking at more intense options such as wood tannin/spot remover but I'm not sure if that will help.

Thoughts?

p1 by SamS posted Jun 12, 2023 at 12:21 PM

p2 by SamS posted Jun 12, 2023 at 12:21 PM

p3 by SamS posted Jun 12, 2023 at 12:21 PM

 

It's interesting that you are trying to restore a piece. You need to find a person familiar with pistols of the period to advise you.

 

It is what it is...leave it alone!

 

I don't know gun values, but if it were jewelry I'd oil the steel to retard or neutralize rust but otherwise leave it alone.

 

@SamS, At this point, MY personal opinion is maybe you haven't gone too far.....it's got HISTORY written ALL OVER IT....it's OLD and an ANTIQUE.....you shouldn't take that away from it, not surprised it's lost it's ramrod....research what it would have had, and try to reproduce one, other than that, I'd stabilize it and add it to my collection.....if I had one!!! Best of luck!!!

 

I know what you mean by already compromised, but I am afraid that I lost interest when I read the bit, '.... I decided to go with first 400 girt sandpaper, and then opted to go to 320 grit "............ Personally in my book an absolute no, no whatever the circumstances I am afraid!
Let it wear its age with pride, it will never be prisine anyway, and if that is the aim then my advice would be to buy a replica.

This isn't meant to be high handed, and I am sorry if it comes across that way, you own it, and it is yours to do with as you see fit, but this is just my observations and thoughts based an many years of collecting and restoring antique weapons and armour.

 

I appreciate all the replies, thank you!

@Aquitaine I'm trying a few ramrod replacements but I'm finding it difficult to find ones with the exact diameter. There are no wood nosecap replacements unfortunately so I'll either have to fabricate one myself or leave it without one.

@the blacksmith I understand what you're saying but there is some beautiful engraving underneath all the corrosion that is now more prominent. Now it's just tarnished and I might have no choice but to leave it like that but at least the engraving is showing.

 

I can understand that, and that you are happy is important. But had you stripped it and given it to a gunsmith, he would have put it in an ultrasonic tank and loosened much of the crud, without recourse to harsh abrasives.
There are also a number of things one can do at home too before using such drastic measures.
Just a thought.

 

Kind of like bringing it back to life.....without killing it !

 

You are correct about that and I should have at least consulted an antique restorer in person but I thought I'd try my hand at it given past successful attempts at restoring vintage straight razors. However, I wasn't expecting so much corrosion.

I also don't think I can take it apart. I tried but the corrosion of the screws is quite prominent and even with them cleaned up, I still can't get them to move.

 

maybe a penetrating oil...

 

And a hot screwdriver! It doesn't always work, but often it does........ The penetrating oil, and left to work for a good while, is always a good idea!

 

guns are made to be taken down....taken apart....dismantled !