Rust on carcano

[desporterizer]

This weekend I picked up a cavalry carbine 91/38 & after cleaning the crud off it I can see most of the blue on the exposed surfaces is actually surface rust. So the question is what do I do with it? Option one is leave it, option two clean it off & leave grey metal, or clean & reblue. I know most collectors favour that brown patina to a refinish but no one seems to balk at a garand reparker. Whatever was numbered still matches & it was not refurbed after the war. What would you do?

 

[tiriaq]

I would lightly use 0000 steel wool & oil, to deal with any loose active surface rust, and stop there. Neither stripping to bare metal nor rebluing would improve the carbine in my opinion.

 

[Andy]

I would clean the rust off, prevent further rust, and and leave it. The next guy can blue, park, paint, or whatever else meets his fancy after you have his money.

 

[sunray]

There's not much collector interest in Carcano's and a patina doesn't mean rust.
If you have a bench grinder, use a fine brass wire wheel and a gentle touch to take off the surface rust. Does the same job as the 0000 steel wool, but faster. Remember the safety glasses. Then leave it as is.