I have an old b p revolver that the brass is very dirty. Cleaned the out side with brasso but the inter parts are dirty and was thinking of putting it my sonic cleaner but can't get the barrel off. any suggestions? Can I soak it in vinegar with the barrel on, will the vinegar discolor the barrel?
cleaning the brass on 1858 revolver
- Thread starter DUNITALL
- Start date
maillemaker
New member
OK I assume this is a brass-framed revolver because on a steel-framed revolver only the trigger guard is brass and it comes off with a single screw.
Vinegar will strip the bluing off of any blued parts.
Steve
Vinegar will strip the bluing off of any blued parts.
Steve
Driftwood Johnson
New member
Howdy
You did pull the wedge almost all the way out to free the barrel, right?
Try using the loading lever as a ram to pull the barrel off. Place the cylinder so the web between two chambers is under the ram and use the leverage of the loading lever to push the barrel off. Be gentle, don't overdo it. There are two pins set into the frame, and there are two holes in the barrel that fit over the pins. If the barrel is rusted onto those pins, it can be difficult removing the barrel. The last thing you want to do is to pull the pins out of the frame. If the barrel is still stubborn, try some penetrating fluid between the frame and the barrel.
Forget about vinegar, it will remove the blue on the steel.
Once you have the gun apart scrub everything with hot soap and water to remove the old BP fouling. When everything is clean and BONE DRY, coat everything with a light coating of Ballistol to prevent rust and put everything back together again.
Forget about trying to keep the brass frame shiny, it will just tarnish again, and you may overdo it with your polishing.
You did pull the wedge almost all the way out to free the barrel, right?
Try using the loading lever as a ram to pull the barrel off. Place the cylinder so the web between two chambers is under the ram and use the leverage of the loading lever to push the barrel off. Be gentle, don't overdo it. There are two pins set into the frame, and there are two holes in the barrel that fit over the pins. If the barrel is rusted onto those pins, it can be difficult removing the barrel. The last thing you want to do is to pull the pins out of the frame. If the barrel is still stubborn, try some penetrating fluid between the frame and the barrel.
Forget about vinegar, it will remove the blue on the steel.
Once you have the gun apart scrub everything with hot soap and water to remove the old BP fouling. When everything is clean and BONE DRY, coat everything with a light coating of Ballistol to prevent rust and put everything back together again.
Forget about trying to keep the brass frame shiny, it will just tarnish again, and you may overdo it with your polishing.
JACKlangrishe
New member
I believe he's referring to a brass '58 remmy clone.
From my, albeit limited, knowledge.. the 1858 barrel can be a challenge to disconnect from the frame, and most don't advice novices to take on the task.
..and be careful with the brass frame if you do try, as it can easily warp.
From my, albeit limited, knowledge.. the 1858 barrel can be a challenge to disconnect from the frame, and most don't advice novices to take on the task.
..and be careful with the brass frame if you do try, as it can easily warp.
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Model12Win
Moderator
I wouldn't bother.
Them boys during the war or on the plains didn't usually bother to polish their brass. The dulling of brass was just accepted back then.
Today's generation feels the need to shine them damn things, but in truth, it's stupid and would be considered queer back then.
Them boys during the war or on the plains didn't usually bother to polish their brass. The dulling of brass was just accepted back then.
Today's generation feels the need to shine them damn things, but in truth, it's stupid and would be considered queer back then.
freedom475
New member
Can I get an Amen!...LOL too funny. You guys are brutal
Oh and good luck finding the wedge on your 58!
Nicely done DJDriftwood Johnson
New member
Ooops, didn't notice that it was a Remmie.
Why in the world would you try to remove the barrel?
It is screwed in tight. Don't mess with it.
Why in the world would you try to remove the barrel?
It is screwed in tight. Don't mess with it.
Model12Win said:
I'm curious which uniformed Army on the Plains didn't believe in weapons and gear maintenance? You really think an officer that went to West Point, Virginia Military Academy, or the Citadel would allow his troops to have tarnished brass on their weapons or accoutrements?
Highly doubtful. Polishing brass and shinning leather ain't anything new. It's been going on forever.
Doing a quick google search proves my point to be true:
"inspections must be thorough, the men appearing upon them with boots or shoes and belts properly blackened, brass cleaned and clothing in good order" - G.O. 12, Headquarters, 4th Brigade First Division, I Army Corps, April 8, 1863
"We were required to keep all the metal parts (except the butt-plate) as bright and shining as silver dollars. I have put in many an hour working on my gun [an Austrian rifle-musket] with an old rag and powdered dirt, and a corn cob, or pine stick, polishing the barrel, the bands, lockplate and trigger-guard until they were fit to pass inspection." - Leander Stillwell, 61st Illinois, Bolivar, Tennessee
"Our spare time is generally spent scrubbing up equipments. Rifles are atomized, screw drivers, emery paper, buckskin, oil, etc. brought into requisition as a mass [detail] got up on short notice comparable with house cleaning. Daubs of rust and dust get in your nose, and your hands become coal-colored when there is no water to wash [with]. In some circumstances, one feels as if he had been dipped in cobwebs" - Edward Wightman, 9th New York
"It is Sunday and . . . this morning we had inspection at nine o'clock. At these inspections, we are required to have our brass, iron, steels, and leather all brightly polished" - Frederick Pettit, 100th PA, Crab Orchard KY
http://www.cwreenactors.com/forum/archive/index.php/t-27135.html
And more reading on polishing brass can be seen here:
http://sykesregulars.org/school-of-instruction/108-polishing-brass-and-rifle-parts
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foolzrushn
New member
drobs - I still use Brasso, never heard of it before the service. But your quotes remind me that we used what ever we had to clean and polish things. Many smokers would use cigarette ashes and newspaper on their brass. Worked great but slow. Used toliet paper for almost everything.
dunitall - Non-jell plain tooth paste works pretty well, and will wash up with water if you don't have a fine non-chemical polish. Baking soda is a salt though, and I wouldn't want it to seep between two dissimilar metals.
dunitall - Non-jell plain tooth paste works pretty well, and will wash up with water if you don't have a fine non-chemical polish. Baking soda is a salt though, and I wouldn't want it to seep between two dissimilar metals.
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foolzrushn - Prior service Army Reserves here.
I used Mother's Mag Polish on my Uberti 1873's brass trigger guard and grip frame w/ so so results. It still has that dull finish to me, which I'm not a fan of. Might have to get a can of Brasso.
DUNITALL - careful on the inside of the frame - lots of razor sharp edges in there.
I used Mother's Mag Polish on my Uberti 1873's brass trigger guard and grip frame w/ so so results. It still has that dull finish to me, which I'm not a fan of. Might have to get a can of Brasso.
DUNITALL - careful on the inside of the frame - lots of razor sharp edges in there.
maillemaker
New member
Yeah I'm with drobs I bet regular army folks were polishing the -CENSORED--CENSORED--CENSORED--CENSORED- out of things. Irregulars/cavalry may have not cared as much, I don't know.
Personally I regularly polish the brass on my long arms and revolvers every couple of competitions.
I use Mothers metal polish but any of them will do the trick.
Steve
Edit: I can't believe this place censors cuss words.
Personally I regularly polish the brass on my long arms and revolvers every couple of competitions.
I use Mothers metal polish but any of them will do the trick.
Steve
Edit: I can't believe this place censors cuss words.
Driftwood Johnson
New member
I don't think the Army was issuing brass framed Remington revolvers.
Pretty sure brass frames on Remingtons is a modern development.
Pretty sure brass frames on Remingtons is a modern development.