Hi Tim,
Thank you for sharing the information at hand on these pieces, and I am sorry to hear that such misfortune has fallen on these people. I hope that further research can add some useful history to what little is known so that the comfort of these pieces of now family history can be preserved.
The guys here have incredible knowledge on these weapons, and hopefully research will continue to reveal more information.
In the meantime, my position on cleaning and restoring of weapons, far from any expertise, is to stay emphatically conservative. The age that develops on weapons in the form of patination and darkening,aside from any type of active rust, rot or such degradation, is simply pure history, and adds to the distinct character of the piece.
I think the others will add more on best means for preservation and cleaning. I've only ever used gun oil, WD40 and for wood , lemon oil.
Thank you again for sharing these here.
All the best,
Jim
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