Mosin Sling Slots - cosmo cleaning question

Outlaw75 · November 26, 2014, 09:39 PM

I've got a 1931 M91/30 Mosin with sling slots. The sling slot escutcheons (metal plates that surround the slots) have what appears to be crusted/dried cosmoline on them. I've tried mineral spirits and a rag, but just can't seem to get the stuff off. Anything else I can try?

Mosin-Marauder · November 26, 2014, 10:06 PM

Only way to get the caked in cosmo is to scrape it off. I used a screwdriver.

Heavy Metal 1 · November 27, 2014, 10:04 AM

It might be shellac if your gun is a refurb. Coloring within the lines was not a skill Ivan had. They frequently just slopped it on. Shellac will dissolve with alcohol.

tobnpr · November 27, 2014, 10:16 AM

^^^ This.

I usually use a DULL putty knife/scraper, being careful not to scratch them. The varnish (or whatever finish they used) usually isn't bonded well to the metal and can be flaked off. You could use a chemical remover on a q-tip I suppose, but you risk getting it on the stock.

tahunua001 · November 27, 2014, 01:37 PM

that's the shellac that they coated the stock with. it's hard to get off and you could create cracks which would start chipping and flaking off the wood. I left it on mine, it's just a beauty issue for me and old warhorses are no longer supposed to look perty in my opinion.

Outlaw75 · November 27, 2014, 04:15 PM

D'oh! Never even occurred to me that it might be shellac! Thanks, guys!

psalm7 · November 27, 2014, 08:18 PM

I'v had mine for several years and shoot it , clean it and it still has cosmoline on it . One thing I did learn was when putting the "dog collar " slings on is put the buckle on the opisite side of the stock that your face touches as recoil can give you a nice scratch on the jaw if a sharp eadge catches you right .

November 26, 2014, 09:39 PM	#1
Outlaw75 Member Join Date: May 7, 2014 Location: Glendale, AZ Posts: 55	Mosin Sling Slots - cosmo cleaning question I've got a 1931 M91/30 Mosin with sling slots. The sling slot escutcheons (metal plates that surround the slots) have what appears to be crusted/dried cosmoline on them. I've tried mineral spirits and a rag, but just can't seem to get the stuff off. Anything else I can try?

November 26, 2014, 10:06 PM	#2
Mosin-Marauder Senior Member Join Date: April 18, 2014 Location: North Carolina Posts: 2,320	Only way to get the caked in cosmo is to scrape it off. I used a screwdriver. __________________ Proud owner of three (four-ish) pieces of history! K-31, Mosin-Nagant M91/30, M24/47 Mauser, Norinco SKS. "You might as well appeal against a thunderstorm..." William Tecumseh Sherman

November 27, 2014, 10:04 AM	#3
Heavy Metal 1 Senior Member Join Date: January 17, 2012 Posts: 247	It might be shellac if your gun is a refurb. Coloring within the lines was not a skill Ivan had. They frequently just slopped it on. Shellac will dissolve with alcohol. __________________ The blood runs free, the rain turns red, give me the wine, you keep the bread.

November 27, 2014, 10:16 AM	#4
tobnpr Senior Member Join Date: August 1, 2010 Location: Tampa Bay Posts: 4,556	^^^ This. I usually use a DULL putty knife/scraper, being careful not to scratch them. The varnish (or whatever finish they used) usually isn't bonded well to the metal and can be flaked off. You could use a chemical remover on a q-tip I suppose, but you risk getting it on the stock. __________________ Remington 700/Savage Rebarreling /Action Blueprinting 07 FFL /Mosin-Nagant Custom Shop/Bent Bolts Genuine Cerakote Applicator www.biggorillagunworks.com

November 27, 2014, 01:37 PM	#5
tahunua001 Senior Member Join Date: July 21, 2011 Location: Idaho Posts: 7,839	that's the shellac that they coated the stock with. it's hard to get off and you could create cracks which would start chipping and flaking off the wood. I left it on mine, it's just a beauty issue for me and old warhorses are no longer supposed to look perty in my opinion. __________________ ignore my complete lack of capitalization. I still have no problem correcting your grammar. I never said half the stuff people said I did-Albert Einstein You can't believe everything you read on the internet-Benjamin Franklin

November 27, 2014, 04:15 PM	#6
Outlaw75 Member Join Date: May 7, 2014 Location: Glendale, AZ Posts: 55	D'oh! Never even occurred to me that it might be shellac! Thanks, guys!

November 27, 2014, 08:18 PM	#7
psalm7 Senior Member Join Date: March 7, 2014 Location: Middle TN Posts: 543	I'v had mine for several years and shoot it , clean it and it still has cosmoline on it . One thing I did learn was when putting the "dog collar " slings on is put the buckle on the opisite side of the stock that your face touches as recoil can give you a nice scratch on the jaw if a sharp eadge catches you right .