Argentino M1879 Rolling Block. Is it worth restoring?

[killforfood]

Patrick,

Yahoo! We are removing rust as I type.
I didn’t have Washing Soda so I converted some Baking Soda by baking it at 325deg for 1 hour.




I took the liberty to deviate from the stainless electrolytic rust removing container and used a plain old cat litter bucket. It’s what I had handy and also I read that using stainless will leach heavy metal into the solution. It won’t harm the rust removal process but the effects of chrome and whatever else is in stainless isn’t the best for us humans.
Here’s what I started with.




I bolted two sacrificial anodes (mild steel plates) into the bucket and used a piece of copper pipe to hang the cathode wires on.




I twisted the hangers out of bailing wire. It was pretty rusty from setting out in the garage so I sanded it to assure good conduction.




The two sacrificial anode plates are bonded together using a strand of house wire.




The power source that I used is one of those wall warts that clogs up just every power strip under every desk on the entire earth.




I mixed about ¼ cup of Washing Soda into 2 gals water, hung a couple rusty parts on the hangers and hit the juice. I was immediately surprised how vigorously it bubbled especially considering how small the power supply is.




This is after just a couple minutes. After about an hour the water is completely nasty with rust from the parts but mainly debree off of the sacrificial anodes. Now I can’t even see the parts but occasionally I pull one of them out and they appear to be derusting very nicely. I’ll post some results pictures tomorrow.




The barrel and receiver will require a special tank that I haven’t quite worked out yet.

Oh yah, I scrounged around in the basement and found some lead bullets that should work good for slugging the bore.




Also you had asked for more pictures of the end of the barrel. I assume you wanted to see the condition of the crown. Let me know if these pictures don’t show what you wanted to see.







As far as the .43 Spanish brass and bullets, it’s just not in the budget yet. I do have some flowers of sulfur that could be used to cast the chamber if that would be helpful?

It’ll take me a few days to get all of the small parts de-rusted but we are turning the corner and things are going to look better from now on. I have access to an ultrasonic cleaner at work so all of the small parts will get a follow up wash.

Hmm, now what to use for a barrel tank…

Joel.

Information

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[Patrick Chadwick]

I have access to an ultrasonic cleaner at work so all of the small parts will get a follow up wash.

Great news! Do repeat electrolytic/ultrasonic runs on the backsight assembly until you get it free.

Hmm, now what to use for a barrel tank?

Use PVC plastic guttering, with end pieces glued on. It won't break the bank, and you can store it out in the yard.

Also you had asked for more pictures of the end of the barrel. I assume you wanted to see the condition of the crown. Let me know if these pictures don’t show what you wanted to see.

Thanks Joel, they are just what we need.
....Er, how shall I put this?....they DO show what I DIDN'T want to see: a blunderbuss muzzle.
OK, I had that on The Mahdi as well. Worse, in fact. Can be improved, if not 100% fixed.

BTW, I do not like the look of the barrel channel. Whatever that white stuff is, you need to mechanically remove as much of it and the rust a.s.a.p. Hold it upright and give it a good scrubbing with an old toothbrush so that it falls out of the channel - maybe you can make a guess as to what it is.

Do NOT (it's those capitals again!) use any liquid on the wood at the moment! And especially NO water - that will carry the rust and white whatever so deeply into the wood that you will never get it out!

But in anticipation of what is to come, I think you need to get
1 pint can of acetone
1 of that jelly-like paint stripper that contains xylol, toluol, benzyl alcohol and heaven knows what. The stuff that, if you get it on your skin, feels pleasantly cool for a couple of seconds and then burns like hell!
1 methylated spirits.
2 rolls of paper towelling
You will need a natural-bristle brush to apply the paint stripper (plastic bristles will dissolve), fresh air,
and
A PAIR OF CHEMICALLY RESISTANT GLOVES

I don't think I can get Part 4 done today. So in the meantime, keep up the good cleaning work!

"And don't forget in, folks, tune in to the same channel for Part 4 of our series, when the true identity of The Mahdi will be revealed, telling how our intrepid adventurer dealt with the dastardly Oriental challenge!"