Will Oil Loosen/damage gold inlays?

[Lone Star]

I have my eye on a Winchester M12 repro from the 1990's. It is the higher grade gun, with some gold (?) inlays and gold line trim on the frame.

Will oil seep into the pores of the steel (I won't put it directly on the inlays) and get up under them and loosen the inlays?

I use Break-Free CLP, which penetrates steel very well, I gather.

Also, does recoil (this is just a 20 ga.) ever loosen the inlays? I'm guessing not, or we wouldn't see them on so many nice guns...

Thanks,

Lone Star

 

[dfariswheel]

No, lubes won't loosen REAL inlays which are "locked" in place.

Actual inlays are applied by cutting a shallow hole in the steel, then undercutting the edges.

Gold is then pounded into the hole until it flows under the undercuts.

The inlay is then shaped, detailed and finished with engraving tools.

The trick is to determine whether these are real inlays, or details that are plated on.

A real inlay is 3-dimensional. You can feel it slightly raised above the surface.

 

[Lone Star]

Thanks. They do have the three dimensional feel and textured look. Plating is usually "flat".

Lone Star

 

[PJR]

I have had one of these guns in 20 gauge for several months now and the inlays are rock solid. I don't put a lot of oil on the receiver however prefering instead to wipe the gun with a silicon rag after it's cleaned.

Paul