Copper removal before copper solvents

[autism_emu]

I was watching a video on how the British cleaned their lee Enfield rifles and essentially the process goes like this,
Boiling water is put through the bore to loosen fouling and wash out corrosive salts and rope with wire gauze (acting as a bore brush was pulled through) then flannel patches until it was clean. This made me wonder how did people at the time clean copper fouling out of their bores.

Would an abrasive bore brush and some water be enough for cleaning out copper and lead fouling by simply pushing it out?

My question is in general about how they cleaned copper fouling before the time of the new fancy gun solvents?

Thank you for your time
-autism_emu

 

[Dibbs]

Let's see, Janitor's Ammonia, or painter's Brush Solvent.

Bear in mind, BARREL BORE, only, being certain not to slop any on the finish of your firearm, and follow up with
Dawn and water, to neutralize the chemicals, once you have it clean.

You probably want to cut the JA, about 4:1, with water. Brush it in, or use a soaked patch. For really bad copper washes, you may want to let it soak, for 5-10 minutes. Then run a couple patches, till they come out clean. Repeat, as needed.


As an alternative, Brush Solvent, brush in, patch out.
Once again, be very careful, with your firearm's exterior finish surfaces.

 

[daniel craig]

I’ve cleaned rifles this way and let me tell you, it works just fine.

 

[Jim Watson]

Copper solvents go back further than you might think.
Winchester Crystal Cleaner, "the little bottle with the powerful smell" and Army Ordnance "ammonia dope" were very early treatments for "hard metal fouling" by cupronickel bullet jackets.

 

[autism_emu]

I mixed some ammonia and water to clean out all of the leading, fouling, and copper thanks, man.

 

[Dibbs]

George of Jungle just here to help...

 

[edwardware]

Well, Cavalry always had a ready supply of copper solvent, and it's stronger the harder you ran the horses that day.

If you couldn't turn up an ammonia-based solvent, your were probably in a sufficiently primitive military that the loss of accuracy wasn't a big deal.

 

[Jesse Heywood]

Copper removal goes back to the Civil War, where the cannons would get fouled leaving strips of copper that could be pulled from the rifling. This lead to the development of CFE powders.

 

[Dunross]

Well, Cavalry always had a ready supply of copper solvent, and it's stronger the harder you ran the horses that day.

I had never thought of that particular ammonia source for cleaning purposes, but since everything probably already smelled of horses anyway, why not?

 

[rust collector]

Mercury was also used to amalgamate with metals in the bore, forming a slurry or sludge that could be pushed out after sufficient time had elapsed. Now we know that it was too hazardous to continue, but there were always ways to deal with metal buildup.

 

[autism_emu]

What about general carbon cleaning, did the people back then using something like kerosene or mineral spirits to dissolve carbon build-ups?

 

[Jim Watson]

Greener recommended "petroleum." Turpentine was used, too; still is for stubborn leading in a black powder rifle.

I have used mercury to amalgamate heavy leading. That is not environmentally conscious these days.

 

[JTHunter]

As some have suggested ammonia for copper fouling, esp. when you need to keep it in the barrel for a long time, here's an idea.
Depending on your gun's caliber, plug the barrel's crown with a Q-tip or cotton ball, then tape the barrel shut to keep the cotton in place. With the gun braced vertically and using either a syringe or a "turkey baster" (those things with the rubber bulbs), gently squirt the ammonia into the barrel from the chamber end. Avoid over-filling to keep the ammonia out of any part of the action. Allow the gun to stand on the barrel for however many minutes/hours you deem necessary. Carefully remove the tape and cotton to let the ammonia drain out.

 

[Dibbs]

What about general carbon cleaning, did the people back then using something like kerosene or mineral spirits to dissolve carbon build-ups?

Apple Cider(Brown) Vinegar. Then use a couple patches to clear the mud, Dawn and water, to clean out the vinegar, Dry with a couple clean patches. Then run a patch of your favorite oil.