Antique clean-up advice 1884 TD Springfield

[snert]

My neighbor brought to me a complete 1884 Trapdoor rifle. It has ramrod, swivels, Buffington sight and has several faint cartouche on stock, one saying "1890" on it.

It appears to be functional. No wayward cracks or obvious issues. The firing pin may be rusty inside...

I own a chopped but functional 1884 so I have "some" experience, but likely not THIS kind of experience...see questions.

Not really interested in shooting it, but he would like it cleaned up, without ruining the value.

The bore has a coat of rust. The wood is unmarred, but dirty. The metal has "patina" and no signs of anyone using steel wool (gasp) on it in the past. However, the patina may also just be a layer of dirt and light rust.

I have never disassembled a trapdoor out of the stock...any advice there?

Question 2...Any advice on where to go for answers on cleaning one of these up without ruining it?

As far as the barrel is concerned, I plugged it and squirted inside down with Kroil to loosen the rust etc, and will brush it and patch it to see if it cleans up. I'll bore scope it later.

I am all ears boys...



Snert

 

[TIMO]

Check out Trapdoor Collector. Al Frasca is a wealth of trapdoor knowledge.

The U.S. Springfield Trapdoor Rifle Information Center

THIS SITE SPECIALIZES IN: (1) TRAPDOOR SPRINGFIELD RIFLES & CARBINES, 1865-1893; (2) INDIAN WAR & SPAN-AM WAR: U.S SPRINGFIELD TRAPDOOR ARMS; (3) 1865-1893 MILITARY: BAYONETS, KNIVES, ENTRENCHING TOOLS/TROWELS, MILLS & PRAIRIE BELTS, MCKEEVER / DYER POUCHES & CARBINE BOOTS.

www.trapdoorcollector.com

Tim

 

[DGP4]

My two "go tos" when cleaning up old military guns:

Frontier Big 45 Pad to clean the metal surfaces without removing any original bluing or other finish

Turtle Wax Polishing Compound to clean the wood surfaces of dirt and old crud without removing or changing the original finish.

I first soak an old towel with mineral spirits and rub everything down to get the loose stuff.

 

[JohnKielly]

I have an English big game Enfield rifle that was in a museum in Africa for some time without conservation. I cleaned the barrel without too much fuss using sulfur based cutting oil, a tip I picked up in one of the gunsmithing books. patch it in liberally, leave overnight & clean out with a nylon brush.

 

[Downhill]

Got to use a 1890ish Trapdoor on a pig hunt. Only shot one pig but that pumpkin size bullet made the pig look like it was struck with a 12 lb sledge hammer. Ultimate grin factor! Clean it check it for safe function and shoot it!

 

[JSH]

May be of some use for your project. The guy is pretty good.
Jeff

 

[D the D]

Oil of Wintergreen (OOW) left to soak in the barrel will dissolve the rust without harming the steel. Use a brush after soaking, patch, repeat until clean.
Add a little Jojoba or similar oil to help the OOW stick to the steel.
Won't hurt you or the rifle. Doesn't smell bad either, just like horse liniment.