Rusty guns

You could try using electrolysis, it will remove the rust inside an out. all you need is a battery charger a tank of some sort and some other household items. Their are some good examples on youtube
 
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But then wash them down with a degreaser before the rust removal solutions or using the electrolysis method or the penetrating oils will block the solutions from getting into the rust.

I have had very good luck derusting CNo.7 rifle chest hardware with a homemade reverse electrolysis rig. There are lots of videos and tips on the interweb explaining how to do it. I had trouble finding washing soda, until I went into a good neighbourhood Home Hardware. The only issue I have is there is some chatter about 'embrittlement' of the parts being cleaned. I don't know enough chemistry to follow the arguments and decide if they are fearmongering or factual.
 
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Winchester 30wcf rifle long barrel. My buddy managed to get the s/n dates to 1899
 

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Yes I got enuff guns to try all suggestions, still acrying shame that they were left in such a deplorable state.
 

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Grampa died. Nobody cared about his old guns.
almost exactly the story. Gramma moving to old age home, cleaning out the house. big steel cabinet in basement, a hand dug dirt basement. Full of guns. The story I got from the auctioneer is that 50-60 were saleable at the auction, I got 24, the rest were so bad that they were just thrown in the landfill and buried.
 
Hey is that a wire wheel? Please don't use it
You'd be surprised what a little bit of oil and some fine brass wool will do

Geez, at this stage, I'd say that the 'original patina' isn't adding any real value and that a couple grits of plumbers roll would be a pretty good start.

Nothin' much a fella can use, short of a cutting torch, that would make them worse. There's a whole lotta work in that lot!

Got cheaply, I hope?

Cheers
Trev
 
Those are primo candidates for electrolysis rust removal.

On another gun forum there was a guy that did some videos on You Tube for a handgun that was at least as bad and how it got to where he was able to shoot it again with reduced power loads. And shock of shocks it actually shot well enough to generally hit what he aimed at. So while none of these will ever win a Class F match it might just be surprising at what they can do.
 
Thats too bad that they were neglected like that for so long. Not much will ever bring them back to any sort of decent condition.
You may get them somewhat functional again, but I doubt it will be worth the time and effort.
 
Those are primo candidates for electrolysis rust removal.

On another gun forum there was a guy that did some videos on You Tube for a handgun that was at least as bad and how it got to where he was able to shoot it again with reduced power loads. And shock of shocks it actually shot well enough to generally hit what he aimed at. So while none of these will ever win a Class F match it might just be surprising at what they can do.

Going to pick up some steel rods and give the electrolysis method a try myself ..
 
Geez, at this stage, I'd say that the 'original patina' isn't adding any real value and that a couple grits of plumbers roll would be a pretty good start.

Nothin' much a fella can use, short of a cutting torch, that would make them worse. There's a whole lotta work in that lot!

Got cheaply, I hope?

Cheers
Trev

Many treasures have been ruined with that attitude...
How many guns did you get by the way? Looks like an old 10/22 in there.
Planning on selling any as is?
 
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Many treasures have been ruined with that attitude...
How many guns did you get by the way? Looks like an old 10/22 in there.
Planning on selling any as is?

Not as many as have been ruined by rust.

Face it, unless it's been dug out of Buffalo Bill's personal outhouse, or Hitlers Bunker, and you can prove it, as it sits, they are essentially incapable of being made to be worth less than they are now, without using a cutting torch.

The antique dealers speak of patina, and this isn't that, this is just a pile of rust on ordinary guns that belonged to an ordinary guy. It is a clear case, to me, of where a strip and refinish from the ground up, is about the least amount of work that will result in something of value in the end.

At least they were not in a fire. Mind you, there is a market or cutaway guns for training purposes too, if the WTB ads on the EE are an indication. Again, a way to make something of value out of something that has not much.

Cheers
Trev
 
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