Chassepot in the White

[Patrick Chadwick]

"What is the best way to clean the metal to white?"

"Steel wire brush on a grinder motor."

I presume you meant that sarcastically Jim?
It's also the best way to round off all corners and totally eliminate any markings!

"Glass beader..."

Now that sounds better. Glass beading - done carefully! - will clean up in corners that cannot be reached by brushing, and followed by a metal polish will produce a beautifully clean surface. I had it done once by a gunsmith (not an auto-repair workshop!) and the result was beautiful. I would not do it on any gun with the slightest historical value, being now older (unavoidably) and wiser (hopefully).

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[rescuerandy2]

No real value other than possibly having "been there." Dated 1868 might allow for the possibility of the F-P War. Other than that, is was a parts/sporterized weapon that is just getting the chance to make smoke again. Randy

[browningautorifle]

I presume you meant that sarcastically Jim?

Of course. I can't imagine anyone doing any of that. It would be like the man with the nearly mint Harper's ferry musket that he thought he'd just "Knock the rust off"... But, it ain't my gun so...

[vintage hunter]

I can't imagine anyone doing any of that

Oh but it happens. You should've seen the original Colt Lightening rifle I spotted at a gun show several years ago. Some doof had ''cleaned it up'' with a Dremel, but he used a grinding rock instead of a wire wheel.

[rescuerandy2]

Ouch! Promise to use a wire-wheel with love and respect. Randy