Pistol Restoration - How NOT To

rickystl · 22nd August 2015, 06:27 PM

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David R · 22nd August 2015, 08:02 PM

I think they just varnished the whole thing, that's why the wire inlay and the but-cap are yellow.

Shakethetrees · 22nd August 2015, 09:05 PM

Or possibly Amber shellac over everything. See if it's soluble on alcohol. Is so, it's shellac. I would remove the lock and barrel and remove the bluing. Then re-rust it to whatever degree you're happy with. However, I would rust it several stages more than what's apparently necessary, to the point of fresh, crusty raised rust. It has to take hold of the iron for my treatment to work.

As I posted somewhere earlier, when he rust is heavy enough, completely immerse in boiling water. This will convert the red bad rust into a stable iron oxide, which is black. It will improve the looks immensely if you do it right.

Pukka Bundook · 22nd August 2015, 10:09 PM

Rick,

I'm pretty sure David is right about the all-over varnish/shellac.
If stripped off it won't look yellow anymore.

Not kidding about a crude tumbler, were you!?
Been a nice looking pistol and can look nice again.

Keep us posted!

Richard.

ward · 22nd August 2015, 11:02 PM

clean the shellac off and send it out the door. By the time you replace parts and do much else, you could have invested in a better piece. It is a relatively common pistol that is worn. Some pieces are worth putting money into some are not.

22nd August 2015, 06:27 PM	#1
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22nd August 2015, 08:02 PM	#4
David R Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Posts: 1,120	I think they just varnished the whole thing, that's why the wire inlay and the but-cap are yellow.

22nd August 2015, 09:05 PM	#5
Shakethetrees Member Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Louisiana Posts: 363	Or possibly Amber shellac over everything. See if it's soluble on alcohol. Is so, it's shellac. I would remove the lock and barrel and remove the bluing. Then re-rust it to whatever degree you're happy with. However, I would rust it several stages more than what's apparently necessary, to the point of fresh, crusty raised rust. It has to take hold of the iron for my treatment to work. As I posted somewhere earlier, when he rust is heavy enough, completely immerse in boiling water. This will convert the red bad rust into a stable iron oxide, which is black. It will improve the looks immensely if you do it right.

22nd August 2015, 10:09 PM	#6
Pukka Bundook Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 803	Rick, I'm pretty sure David is right about the all-over varnish/shellac. If stripped off it won't look yellow anymore. Not kidding about a crude tumbler, were you!? Been a nice looking pistol and can look nice again. Keep us posted! Richard.

22nd August 2015, 11:02 PM	#7
ward Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 637	clean the shellac off and send it out the door. By the time you replace parts and do much else, you could have invested in a better piece. It is a relatively common pistol that is worn. Some pieces are worth putting money into some are not.