Im betting this gun has never been cleaned. I'm also pretty confident in saying its never been cleaned in the 28 years Ive been around the family.
To clarify the post #1, Im the caretaker of this gun. The previous owner was my father in law, who's bequeathed this gun, and others (already in my possession), to his (then) youngest grandson (my nephew), He's 7 and 99% sure will never take ownership of this gun, or the others (city kid).
Well, couple things I've discovered during takedown to clean:
No serial number(s) anywhere on the gun. Odd, but whatever.
Rust in the barrel; so bad I cannot get a brass brush through it. Was able to get just the aluminum rod though it, day light can be seen! I soaked the barrel with a Hoppes brand varsol like product. It did little. Buddy has a sonic bath for firearms, were going to give that a whirl. If that doesn't work, I'll plug the muzzle and try brake fluid down the barrel and let it soak.
I removed the stock, Has a 10" crack from the fore-end down. Other than that damage, and a few scrapes in the cheek area, its in nice shape otherwise. Everything in the mechanism seems tight and surprisingly little to no corrosion. I'm going to glue the stock and put a worm drive pipe clamp on it to keep it together while it dries.
Debating on fine sanding the scratches out (couple mm deep, in 3-4 places) and refinishing the spots or deep sanding (stripping) the whole stock and refinishing the "fresh wood". Some of the original finish can been seen underneath the frame. Nice dark mahogany colour. Nice natural patina everywhere else. This gun will never be a big dollar collectable, so not worried about that, but as they say, "its only original once". Goal is to have a safe and presentable shootable .22LR that will last for another generation.
Rubbed an oil soaked rag on it, quite vigorously, barely improved the area, its rustier than I thought I suppose.
Im conflicted.
To clarify the post #1, Im the caretaker of this gun. The previous owner was my father in law, who's bequeathed this gun, and others (already in my possession), to his (then) youngest grandson (my nephew), He's 7 and 99% sure will never take ownership of this gun, or the others (city kid).
Well, couple things I've discovered during takedown to clean:
No serial number(s) anywhere on the gun. Odd, but whatever.
Rust in the barrel; so bad I cannot get a brass brush through it. Was able to get just the aluminum rod though it, day light can be seen! I soaked the barrel with a Hoppes brand varsol like product. It did little. Buddy has a sonic bath for firearms, were going to give that a whirl. If that doesn't work, I'll plug the muzzle and try brake fluid down the barrel and let it soak.
I removed the stock, Has a 10" crack from the fore-end down. Other than that damage, and a few scrapes in the cheek area, its in nice shape otherwise. Everything in the mechanism seems tight and surprisingly little to no corrosion. I'm going to glue the stock and put a worm drive pipe clamp on it to keep it together while it dries.
Debating on fine sanding the scratches out (couple mm deep, in 3-4 places) and refinishing the spots or deep sanding (stripping) the whole stock and refinishing the "fresh wood". Some of the original finish can been seen underneath the frame. Nice dark mahogany colour. Nice natural patina everywhere else. This gun will never be a big dollar collectable, so not worried about that, but as they say, "its only original once". Goal is to have a safe and presentable shootable .22LR that will last for another generation.
Rubbed an oil soaked rag on it, quite vigorously, barely improved the area, its rustier than I thought I suppose.
Im conflicted.
