Help sought from antique gun enthusiasts re: vampire killing kit

[ahoudini]

Hi!

I built a vampire killing kit about 6 months ago which includes a nice working percussion pistol replica from Dixie Gun Works. I used Birchwood Casey Plum Brown to finish/age/weather it as per the instructions and I was very pleased with the results:



A few days ago, I reopened the bottom layer of the case and took out the pistol and was shocked to see how rusted the iron parts were! I am sure, now that I think it over, that this comes as no surprise to experienced gun owners, but I really did not expect it to be this severe. I then set about patiently disassembling the pistol and working oil into all of its parts while trying to preserve the antique appearance. I have definitely lost a lot of metal off the more delicate parts but everything works again I am satisfied with the appearance.

How can I arrest this process without changing its appearance too much? Is coating it, inside and out, with a thin film of oil the best approach? What oil should I use?

I live in the mountains of Virginia and it is not displayed in a particularly humid area (air conditioned, etc,) but should I include some of that rust preventing paper like they use in tool boxes in the kit (just between showing it to people)?

Thanks for your advice,

Steve Harris

 

[rorschach999]

well im no expert and can only pass on what I use on mine - I have an actual 1850 percussion pistol - deactivated as I don'r want any issues with the law and I had the same problem to begin with and I did exactly the same as you cleaned it up and oiled it that helped and then I asked someon at the Imperial War museum in london how best to keep guns like this looking nice they suggested a Silicone based oil designed to protect the exterior of guns - I Just used a few drops on a soft cloth and gave all the parts a light wipe over and reassembled the gun and wiped over the exterior parts of the gun, it did give it a little sheen finish but it does protect it from water ,rust and corrosive little fingerprints, and I've not had the rust issue since.

hope that helps

 

[Psicorp7]

I use mineral oil on my guns and swords to good results. It also works great on the brass parts.

 

[Broilermaker]

There is a product called Corrosian X, you could spray the entire gun with it, let it soak then wipe off the rust then coatit in corrosian x again but this time wipe off the excess, this will not change the patina or affect the value of the gun.

 

[ahoudini]

Exactly the kind of advice I was seeking. The rpf comes through again!

Thanks, guys!

I will report back.

Steve

 

[ahoudini]

Corrosion X is available on Amazon with nearly all 5 star ratings. I have ordered some and will report back. Thanks, again!

 

[The Schlitzie]

Nice kit btw!

 

[ahoudini]

Thanks, Schlitzie!

 

[Sidewinder]

Put a Silica gel packet in there somewhere?

 

[ahoudini]

Definitely, Sidewinder. Now, to disguise it…

 

[Sidewinder]

Get yourself a cheap antique Vinaigrette/pomander box - the thing they used to use back when everything stank, a small pierced box that had perfumed stuff in it to carry round with you. Should be easy to get something that looks in keeping with your kit.

SAS

 

[ahoudini]

Thanks, Sidewinder. Great idea!


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

 

[ahoudini]

Here's the result after Corrosion X. I am very pleased!

 

[hydin]

Probably a dumb question, but why not just hit it with a clear coat sealer? That should stop the humidity that leads to the rust. There's different types, like gloss or matte, so you can pick which you'd like to use.

For a prop, it seems like a good idea. I'd never use it on a real actual gun though.

Chris

 

[ahoudini]

I think it would gum up the works. I like that you can cock it, rotate the cylinder, etc.