Reviving a Martini-Henry Mark IV

[Quigzila]

On Monday (7.30.07) I received an 1887 stamped Mark IV Martini-Henry from Graf & Sons. The rifle is spectacular for something 120 years old (actually for any age). The barrel is pristine & bright. The action seems fully functional and smooth. All other parts seem to be in place and working and I just need the gunsmith inspection to start shooting it (reloaded BP).

However, there is still some cosmoline (at least I believe it to be) on the rifle. The wood is black and greasy, but not chunky, and there is some oily residue on external metal parts. When I swabbed the barrel with a dry mop I got some small red-brown crusty chips.

I have seen other posts here about heavily cosmolined weapons that were less that 100 years old. Is there something special about older ones, or the Martinis in particular, that would require a special revival method?

 

[jacobhh]

Start by cleaning both wood and metal with a mild
detergent solution and a clean very soft bristle brush/tooth brush.
Rinse with hot water.

No solvents.

Dry thoroughly with a hairdryer, back far enough so
you don't heat up the surface much, just enough to quickly evaporate
the water. Note what you have, then lightly (don't rub) wipe the
metal with WD-40 or similar water displacement product. Stay away
from the wood. You may have swelled the wood a bit, it will dry and
return to normal.

What's the result? Better, same? New conditions?

 

[cane]

Go to your local self service car wash with a pocket full of quarters.

 

[Quigzila]

Thanks for the information.
Apparently someone had done a lot of work on removing the bulk of the Cosmoline. I used the steamer method first and there just wasn't enough stuff for it to work with. I tried the hot water method and got the same results.
In the end I'm getting the best results from Mineral Spirits and elbow grease.

 

[Fosbery]

Obviously it is beyond redemption. Send it my way and I'l do the decent thing and dispose of it.




Worth a try, eh? I'm dead jealous

 

[Quigzila]

Success at last

I found one of those citrus based "green" paint removers on sale at Lowe's an after 2 days & maybe 6 coating/removals I became basically Cosmoline free. There is some darkness in the forend wood and around the edges of the barrel straps.
I did not let the remover go all the way to the bare wood. I let it dry for a couple of days and then painted it with 1 cost of room tempature Boiled Linseed oil and 1 coat of heated Boiled Linseed oil. The resultant finish is dark and reddish. In basic terms, the rifle is simply gorgeous.
When I took the rifle to the gunsmith to check it out for shootability { word ? } he thought it had been fired maybe twice since 1887. Hopefully I will rectify that deficiency in the coming months.

 

[Anteater1717]

Do you have any pictures of the refinished rifle?