Trapdoor Springfield Update
After yesterday’s bleg, I read some various advice given on rust removal, including this excellent post by Carteach. I decided to start off simple at first. I disassembled the rifle using the instructions found here. I wanted to get all the metal separated from the wood. I removed the near 140 year old sling from the wood as well. I started simply with just oil and a cloth (and no abrasives like steel wool). After about an hour’s worth of work, it’s starting to look quite nice:
Top of the barrel:
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| From 1873 Trapdoor Springfield |
The underside of the barrel that was touching the stock:
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| From 1873 Trapdoor Springfield |
Under the barrel band:
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| From 1873 Trapdoor Springfield |
Starting to look pretty good. I figure a few more hours on the barrel and then I’ll look at cleaning the wood with the instructions provided here for wood care.
October 13th, 2009 at 9:45 am
Wait until you fire it. You won’t believe that folks used to shoot at each other with these things.
October 13th, 2009 at 10:04 am
If you have any bad spots you would want to clean up Brass Wool works very well, (Brownells has it)
October 13th, 2009 at 10:36 am
Boating supply stores tend to carry bronze wool, as well.
October 13th, 2009 at 11:36 am
Looks like you have a very nice piece of history. Turned out better than most I’ve seen.
You probably won’t get much more out of it as that pretty much looks like their normal finish. No doubt you can find lots of examples on the Intertube to compare it too.
October 13th, 2009 at 12:31 pm
And for gods sake don’t take “steel wool” to it. The finish is authentic. If you want a wall hanger, buy a kit gun.
October 13th, 2009 at 1:27 pm
Love those guns. College buddy of mine had one that his father gave him. My friend cleaned it up and even did some electrolytic rust removal (converting the rust back into steel) after which we shot the heck out of it.
October 13th, 2009 at 1:51 pm
Now for some wholly black, and a nice long range for some fun.
October 13th, 2009 at 3:12 pm
VERY nice looking old gun! I’m looking forward to a range report.
October 13th, 2009 at 6:24 pm
Hm. That gives me hope that the Trapdoor of mine that my father has might be restored to functioning order as well… Though, that said, everything I read online seemed to indicate that dismantling firearms of that age was generally not recommended. Are you going to be using this as a showpiece, or actually shooting it?
October 13th, 2009 at 7:12 pm
Both
October 14th, 2009 at 1:13 am
Numrich gun parts has spare parts.