Removing rusty finger prints from 1861 Springfield?

DavidB2 · May 8, 2012, 06:23 AM

I made the mistake of handling my 1861 Springfield without wiping it down with oil. Now I have rusty finger prints on part of the barrel. What is the best way to restore the lustre and remove these finger prints? I have already tried steel wool and got some of it off; but more help is needed. Thanks for your suggestions.

Sport45 · May 8, 2012, 06:35 AM

Read this thread.

I trust anything the first two posters have to say about metal finishes.

maillemaker · May 8, 2012, 11:08 AM

I believe the 1861 Springfield is a firearm with a "bright" barrel finish (not blued), correct?

If so, the fix is "easy". Use a mild abrasive with progressively finer grit until the rust is gone and you have matched the finish of the rest of the barrel.

Steve

straightcut · May 8, 2012, 01:39 PM

It's very easy to scratch the surrounding bluing with Scotchbrite or steel wool. I use this product: http://www.big45metalcleaner.com/ It's similar to steel wool, except made of an alloy, monel. The monel is harder than rust, but softer than bluing.

Best of luck!

DavidB2 · May 8, 2012, 01:54 PM

What about using Never Dull on 1861 Springfield?

**James K** · May 8, 2012, 02:37 PM

If the 1861 Springfield is an original or a good replica, it is not blued, so maillenmaker is correct.

600-1000 grit emery paper should remove the rust marks; next time, keep the barrel oiled.

Jim

bedbugbilly · May 8, 2012, 05:46 PM

It's called "patina" . . .

Fingers McGee · May 9, 2012, 12:09 PM

http://www.rb-treasures.com/product3.html

RB17 is the best rust remover I've ever found. It also removes built up lead and powder fouling as well as regrowing hair

OK, that last part might be stretching it a little; but RB17 is some good stuff. I've used it for going on 20 years or so.

bedbugbilly · May 9, 2012, 07:10 PM

Whatever happened to just using steel wool, oil and elbow grease? Once a year I polish up my rifled musket with the above and it seems to work just fine - it's kept my rifled musket looking good for many years.

**4V50 Gary** · May 9, 2012, 11:25 PM

I'm with bed bug billy. Steel wool (0000) will do it. Simple and old fashioned. Afterwards treat with Rig gun grease or, if it'll never be fired, with Rennaisance Wax.

May 8, 2012, 06:23 AM	#1
DavidB2 Member Join Date: March 8, 2008 Posts: 70	Removing rusty finger prints from 1861 Springfield? I made the mistake of handling my 1861 Springfield without wiping it down with oil. Now I have rusty finger prints on part of the barrel. What is the best way to restore the lustre and remove these finger prints? I have already tried steel wool and got some of it off; but more help is needed. Thanks for your suggestions.

May 8, 2012, 06:35 AM	#2
Sport45 Senior Member Join Date: May 26, 1999 Location: Too close to Houston Posts: 3,957	Read this thread. I trust anything the first two posters have to say about metal finishes. __________________ Proud member of the NRA and Texas State Rifle Association. Registered and active voter.

May 8, 2012, 01:39 PM	#4
straightcut Member Join Date: December 17, 2007 Location: AZ Posts: 31	Monel Wool It's very easy to scratch the surrounding bluing with Scotchbrite or steel wool. I use this product: http://www.big45metalcleaner.com/ It's similar to steel wool, except made of an alloy, monel. The monel is harder than rust, but softer than bluing. Best of luck!

May 8, 2012, 01:54 PM	#5
DavidB2 Member Join Date: March 8, 2008 Posts: 70	Never-Dull What about using Never Dull on 1861 Springfield?

May 8, 2012, 02:37 PM	#6
James K Staff Join Date: March 17, 1999 Posts: 16,398	If the 1861 Springfield is an original or a good replica, it is not blued, so maillenmaker is correct. 600-1000 grit emery paper should remove the rust marks; next time, keep the barrel oiled. Jim __________________ Jim K

May 8, 2012, 11:08 AM	#3
maillemaker Senior Member Join Date: August 30, 2010 Posts: 564	I believe the 1861 Springfield is a firearm with a "bright" barrel finish (not blued), correct? If so, the fix is "easy". Use a mild abrasive with progressively finer grit until the rust is gone and you have matched the finish of the rest of the barrel. Steve

May 8, 2012, 05:46 PM	#7
bedbugbilly Senior Member Join Date: November 19, 2009 Posts: 1,318	It's called "patina" . . . __________________ If a pair of '51 Navies were good enough for Billy Hickok, then a single Navy on my right hip is good enough for me . . . besides . . . I'm probably only half as good as he was anyways. Hiram's Rangers Badge #63

May 9, 2012, 12:09 PM	#8
Fingers McGee Senior Member Join Date: March 20, 2008 Location: Missouri Posts: 1,714	http://www.rb-treasures.com/product3.html RB17 is the best rust remover I've ever found. It also removes built up lead and powder fouling as well as regrowing hair OK, that last part might be stretching it a little; but RB17 is some good stuff. I've used it for going on 20 years or so. __________________ Fingers (Show Me MO smoke) McGee - AKA Man of Many Colts - Alter ego of Diabolical Ken; SASS Regulator 28564-L-TG; Rangemaster and stage writer extraordinaire; Frontiersman, Pistoleer, NRA Endowment Life, NMLRA, SAF, CCRKBA, STORM 327, SV115; Charter member, Central Ozarks Western Shooters Cynic: A blackguard whose faulty vision see things as they are, not as they should be. Ambrose Bierce

May 9, 2012, 07:10 PM	#9
bedbugbilly Senior Member Join Date: November 19, 2009 Posts: 1,318	Whatever happened to just using steel wool, oil and elbow grease? Once a year I polish up my rifled musket with the above and it seems to work just fine - it's kept my rifled musket looking good for many years. __________________ If a pair of '51 Navies were good enough for Billy Hickok, then a single Navy on my right hip is good enough for me . . . besides . . . I'm probably only half as good as he was anyways. Hiram's Rangers Badge #63

May 9, 2012, 11:25 PM	#10
4V50 Gary Staff Join Date: November 2, 1998 Location: Colorado Posts: 15,411	I'm with bed bug billy. Steel wool (0000) will do it. Simple and old fashioned. Afterwards treat with Rig gun grease or, if it'll never be fired, with Rennaisance Wax. __________________ Vigilantibus et non dormientibus jura subveniunt. *Molon Labe!*