Cleaning up some neglected firearms

[bullethead]

A buddy picked up four long guns that were in stages of neglect that ranged from mild to criminal.
I offered to clean them up for him.
The first one is a Glenfield bolt action .22. It was the best shape of the four so I didn't take before pics. It had some light surface rust and dirty. But it cleaned up well.


The next one is a T/C Hawken flintock. I think it was a kit gun due to runny lines in the stock stain and inletting for the trigger and lock plate being very uneven. So much so that I found pieces of aluminum beer can used as shims between the wood and trigger.
It wouldn't go to half-ck and the set trigger didn't work.
I took everything apart and in addition to rust plus overtightened screws, I got it all working as it should.








Unbelievably, it wasn't loaded!

 

[bullethead]

I got the MZ cleaned up, adjusted and back together, plus a new flint and leather.

 

[bullethead]

3rd one is a 20ga H&R Topper.
I am still working on rust removal. I have about 95% of it removed,but the rust took it's toll on some blueing and left many small pits.
I'll update when I get it the best I can.

 

[bullethead]

The 4th is a Rem 788 in .308win. I didn't start on it other than look it over. Rust isnt as bad outside. Stock is beat. Safety doesn't work. This one will take some time.

 

[Railroader]

Good on ya man, for saving some old classics!

 

[Dub]

Super results.

Bring some history back to service.

 

[01Foreman400]

Wow! I got some “it’s just a tool” friends as well. Then they complain when something goes wrong with them.

Nice work!

 

[bullethead]

2 days into the Topper receiver and barrel. Both cleaned up well but it is a shame that the rust left a lot of pitting and took some blueing in the more heavily rusted places.

 

[B. White]

That hurts me to look at it. I've got one of their 10ga single shots I bought in the early 80s. Laid it in the yard and got some leaves, pine needles and spray paint and went to town. It is still in good shape today. Bought a sling that came in today and will break it back out during this turkey season.

 

[bullethead]

Unfortunately the dark spots on the receiver are pitted metal, but thanks to some kroil, frontier 45 metal cleaner, weapon shield and boiled linseed oil, it came out better than it arrived.

 

[bullethead]

Remington 788
Yow. No wonder that the trigger won't operate.

 

[ccherry]

Unfortunately the dark spots on the receiver are pitted metal, but thanks to some kroil, frontier 45 metal cleaner, weapon shield and boiled linseed oil, it came out better than it arrived.
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Do you use the frontier 45 dry or with kroil?

 

[bullethead]

Do you use the frontier 45 dry or with kroil?

Kroil, or any lubricant.

 

[Stevie Ray]

That is some impressive work!

 

[bullethead]

That is some impressive work!

I offered because it would honestly bug me to my core to know they were in that poor condition and nothing would get done about it. They are far from great, but much better than they were and more than enough to use them and stop the damage from getting worse.

 

[mwood1985]

I love me some projects. Old stuff is more fun to tinker with anyhow.

 

[Gaswamp]

thanks for sharing the guns and the process

 

[rosewood]

There is just something satisfying about saving a neglected piece and putting it back into working order.

Good work!

 

[bullethead]

I got the safety and trigger to "work" after 3 days of Carb Cleaner and PB Blaster. I felt confident enough to remove it from the action without harming the set screw or pins.
I got it off, took it all apart, cleaned and put back together. It works really well.

 

[bullethead]

788 stock after a hand sanding with 200 and 400 grit sandpaper then a once over again with a green scrubbie.
1st coat of hand rubbed boiled linseed oil.