MA 1907 Bayonet with a mangrovite Scabbard

[lazysod]

Hey everyone, just got this as a gift from someone. I would love to "clean it up" a little but I'm always scared of ruining it's value. Is there an expert out there that can tell me how I can clean the wood metal and leather on this thing? Is it worth anything. Will post pics when the kiddies are in bed. OH and I would love to do a restore project if anyone has a no. 1 MKIII sporter that is in ok condition and still has the bayonet lugs that I can put this sucker on to. Cheers.


Ryan

 

[Bazzoka_Joe]

for the leather neatsfoot oil will help and for the metal start whit some sort of degreaser (careful that can ruin you leather) use a nylon (toot)brush first to removed all the oil grease and for the rust a LOT of oil and bronze/brass brush should do the trick

Hope it help
happy new years !
pm me if you want to get rid of the bayo

 

[JP]

Neatsfoot oil is a bad choice it will rot out the cotton thread used to assembled the scabbard.

- Scabbard: Alcohol and then colorless/Neutral shoe wax.

- Wood: Varsol and then wood paste wax

- Metal: 4 0000 steel wool and gun oil

 

[Bazzoka_Joe]

if the leather is dry out Neatsfoot oil is the best option a think just not over use

 

[lazysod]

There's always such a fine line between restoring and damaging something so old. I really want to take the rust off some of the parts but I'm worried about ruining the value of the thing. As far as the wood, I'm going to go new school and old school. I am an artist and use something called odourless thinner. I think I'll clean the wood with that then use what the guys in the military used and rub cold pressed linseed on it. As far as the metal, I'd like to take the rust off and I was thinking maybe using frog lube which I love. It may not take it all off. As far as the leather, still up in the air as there are conflicting opinions. Will any of these things damage the value?


Ryan

 

[plinker 777]

It will all damage the value if it isn't done correctly.

 

[Bazzoka_Joe]

i wont use the new stuff they where using bees wax paste (bees wax and turpentine) after some linseed oil maybe not long lasting and a lot work but it work i just restore a no4 mk1 whit some surprising result

 

[lazysod]

Plinker, know of any guides, books, help, with doing it properly? It's funny you mention beeswax and and turp, it's another thing I use in my paintings.