Tweet
Ok guys. I need help. I inherited a 2nd gen 1860 colt army revolver. It was given by colt to my grandfather. I believe it is one of the first serial numbers of the series. Unfortunately due to my life style, i left it at my mother's house for about 10 years. i just visited her for x-mas and noticed it is showing very small spots of discoloration or rust on the back strap of the handle. What can i do to fix this or at least make sure it does not get any worse. It is in nib condition and never been fired. I have not taken it apart yet to see if there are any other problems and frankly i am not sure how to strip it. Should i just oil it? Or do i need to take it to a gunsmith? It has alot of sentimental value and i will feel terrible if it was damaged due to my neglect.
-
-
I would start with lubing it and get a silicone cloth and clean wipe it down."Freedom is only protected by those who prepare to die" -
Try rubbing the rust spots off with oil and a rag or cleaning patch. CLP works very well at taking off light rust."Did I say "republic?" By God, yes, I said "republic!" Long live the glorious republic of the United States of America. Damn democracy. It is a fraudulent term used, often by ignorant persons but no less often by intellectual fakers, to describe an infamous mixture of socialism, miscegenation, graft, confiscation of property and denial of personal rights to individuals whose virtuous principles make them offensive." - Westbrook PeglerComment
-
And if that doesn't work use Kroil
Don't use steel wool, even 0000 steel wool, as it could scratch the finish. Use fine bronze wool
If you can remove the rust without taking it apart that would be best. If you don't have gunsmith screwdrivers there is a chance you might damage the screw heads.Revolvers are not pistols
Calling a revolver a "pistol" is like calling a magazine a "clip", calling a shotgun a rifle, or a calling a man a woman.pistol nouna handgun whose chamber is integral with the barrel
ExitCalifornia.orgComment
-
You need to sell this gun to someone who is willing to take extra care of this gun.Comment
-
Here's a Type 38 Arisaka that had some surface rust that I cleaned up recently with Kroil and bronze wool
Before
After
Before
After
Revolvers are not pistols
Calling a revolver a "pistol" is like calling a magazine a "clip", calling a shotgun a rifle, or a calling a man a woman.pistol nouna handgun whose chamber is integral with the barrel
ExitCalifornia.orgComment
-
I'll clean it for you. Send it to me and you can pick it up in about ten years.Jack
sigpicComment
-
Tell you what i will post a new thread for yousigpicComment
-
If you are going to neglect such a collectible due to lifestyle choices then I recommend that you sell it to me. If you sell it to me cheap I would be willing to give you visitation rights as it should be no big deal letting you see it once every 10 years.
I will even let you shoot it during your ten year visit.Comment
-
Damn, jealousy sure brings out the best in people on this board...
There is some good advice here. After that invest in some proper long term storage goods. You're obviously not intent on using it immediately so get a GOOD helping on grease on it - not oil, grease. Wrap it in one of the long term storage bags, and wrap that in a silicone gun sock. Put that in an air tight container where humidity and temperature are controlled. This is not rocket science and it's not a huge investment. Everything I described just now could be done for about $10-20. Something like the top shelf of a closet (again where temperature and humidity are controlled) in an ammo can with some cheap gunstore grease/bag/sock would be enough.
You are trying to keep it from ANY form of the elements that may damage it. Grease will keep moisture away. The bag should keep moisture, air, and dust away. The sock will keep the dust and collection of moisture away for a bit as well as keep light away. The can is to prevent physical damage from someone dropping it or something on it, as well as keeping accidental exposure, such as a flood or pipe breaking, from washing away or damaging any of the other protection. The controlled enviornment is just proper care.
Remember that what you have is not only a family heriloom, but also a piece of history for the general public. Just having someone store it in their sock drawer is like litterally throwing pieces of fine art into a storage shed because you ran out of floor space. It's your gun, but not investing the $20 to properly care for it is not only foolish but downright stupid as you have EASILY depreciated the item ten times that already by not investing in those items.
Good luck and post pictures!
ETA: PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE don't cut corners on this advice either. A ziplock bag is not a proper long term storage bag. They are not all created equal. Some plastics will degrade and can even become corrosive to the firearm. Take one trip to Bass Pro, Turners, etc and but once and buy right. Motor oil may be a good protectant but it will run off over time. Go get proper grease and just slather it on like butter on a bisquit but over every inch. Too much won't hurt it but not enough may destroy it. Buy products SPECIFICIALLY designed to do what you want them to do. Your $20 investment now may protect your $20,000 item for a lifetime... or your $10 investment may turn it into a $5 door stop. Again, it's your call but PLEASE do the responsible thing.Last edited by NeoWeird; 12-26-2009, 4:04 PM.quemadmodum gladius neminem occidit, occidentis telum est. - Lucius Annaeus
a sword never kills anybody; it's a tool in the killer's hand.Comment
-
Pm me if you have any other questions. If you are going to fire it or not up to you pm me though. Black Powder guns are not regular firearms. Due to this if you ever plan on shooting it. then it needs to be handeled in a certain way. otherwise what ever anyone on here says will work.sigpicComment
-
After you treat the rust. Go buy a VCI bag and double bag it. The revolver wont rust again. Every 20 years or so replace the bags.
Comment
There are currently 6780 users online. 105 members and 6675 guests.
Most users ever online was 239,041 at 10:39 PM on 02-14-2026.
Comment