Remove Cold Blue?

[Jessesky]

Hi guys,

I’ve got this Winchester 1892. It seemed like a good price even with the cosmetic issues, and a good salvage.

The Good:
-original made in 1910
-Nice Wood
-Mirror Bright bore

The Bad:
-metal has lots of gouges in it
-receiver appears to have been sanded
-has been cold blued

My Main issue is the cold bluing, (at least I think it’s cold bluing) it is very blotchy and has worn in an odd pattern. I’m all for keeping things original and do not want to re-blue the firearm. I would however like to remove the cold blue. I figure there was not much finish left for the last owner to re-blue it, I don’t mind having little finish but don’t want to lose all patina and be left with a gun in the white. What are my options? Should I leave it as is?

 

[Odd Job]

I agree, that finish looks ugly and something should be done about it.

 

[Scooter22]

I use white vinegar to remove blueing before I use cold blue. I usually soak the b/a with the bore/chamber plugged in a section of plastic rain gutter. If you leave it in awhile the metal will be white and begin to etch so you don't want to go that far. Maybe wet a cotton patch or T shirt and rub some of the blue to see the results. Or leave it as is. Thats part of it's history at this point.

 

[Deus Machina]

Me, I'd leave it as is and just wax it to prevent rust.
Then again, I'm a fan of honest wear on guns and old tools.

 

[BSA1]

Plain vinegar will remove all bluing if left long enough on it. Cold bluing is not durable at all. You might try a wetting a cotton patch with vinegar and lightly wiping a area followed by a dry patch. I would not use a lot of pressure and not leave the vinegar on the metal.

The markings on the gun are interesting. Who was C C Y and the significance of 3 - 38?

 

[Mosin Bubba]

Birchwood Casey sells a blue remover that will go through it in seconds. Think it's like $5 and it is available at most sporting goods stores.

Use it outside and wear gloves though. The fumes smell terrible and I am 200% sure it is toxic on skin.

But if you want bluing gone, it's the ticket.

 

[earlthegoat2]

I’ve used brake cleaner.

 

[Jessesky]

Me, I'd leave it as is and just wax it to prevent rust.
Then again, I'm a fan of honest wear on guns and old tools.

I am as well, I’d rather have a worn gun than reblued any day. In my philosophy this cold blue isn’t honest wear though.

The markings on the gun are interesting. Who was C C Y and the significance of 3 - 38?

This I am not sure of. I have been trying to connect it to something. It could very well be his initials but I’m hoping I can find provenance beyond that

 

[Jessesky]

Update:

I tested first before vinegar with fine steel wool and oil. I’m amazed at how easily the cold bluing comes off. I know this won’t remove whatever real bluing remains (if any) as I’ve used steel wool for significant rust areas and it doesn’t bother the rust bluing. I also tested on the side of the tang where I know there is original bluing.

This seems like the best method for my end goal. I will post pics when I’m done.

 

[JONWILL]

That gun has seen a lot. I agree, I have used Cold Blue and it doesn't hold up.

I did find that wax will help preserve it longer though.

If I were you, there is also a Browning solution that will give it an older patina like a muzzleloader.

Applied just like cold blue

 

[ontarget]

The Works toilet bowl cleaner will take it off but may keep right on going through the original bluing. At this point from the looks of it you may want to strip it all off and start over anyway.

 

[Jessesky]

This is after a few hours. I may go back to remove trace spots. I much prefer this to the blotchy cold blue. Still need to source an original rear sight.

 

[FROGO207]

That came out better than I figured it would. Now a few coats of gun wax and the thing will not rust further.

 

[Drail]

A 6 in. Scotchbrite wheel at low speed and a very light touch. Don't even THINK of using a Dremel.

 

[Scooter22]

Thats looks good. I'd wax it and leave it as mentioned. Now find some 25-20 and shoot it. Save those cases. They are hard to find right now.

 

[Shanghai McCoy]

Looks pretty good. That white vinegar is some pretty effective stuff.
On the markings, perhaps a jail or prison gun at one time..?

 

[Waveski]

Huge improvement. Good work.

 

[MihiT]

The photos are not very clear on my phone. Are you sure it wasn't colour case hardened originally?

 

[Jessesky]

The photos are not very clear on my phone. Are you sure it wasn't colour case hardened originally?

It’s very possible, the only real way to tell would be to completely strip the gun and check on some of the interior parts of the frame, though the tang did have bluing on the side below the woodline so I’m 80% sure it was blued. I haven’t done a full strip yet though

 

[Jessesky]

Looks pretty good. That white vinegar is some pretty effective stuff.
On the markings, perhaps a jail or prison gun at one time..?

I didn’t even use vinegar! The cold blue is so weak it only took oil and fine steel wool. I’m not sure but would be cool provenance

 

[czhen]

I'm sure the rifle had better times, but I would just preserve it.
Sound like beside of being and good oldie it has some personality added.