Fire damaged Colt 1851 needs help

[jdalton]

Greetings,

I have an antique firearm (1851 Colt Navy) that was in a fire. The fire melted the brass section of the firearm all over the steel cylinder and barrel. I am looking for a way to remove a little of the melted brass from the steel without damaging the steel. All I am trying to do is expose the markings on the barrel showing the Colt name and maybe the Patent Colt on the side. If at all possible, maybe see some of the carving on the cylinder.

This is not now nor ever will be a museum piece. It is strictly for my own enjoyment to hang on the wall, however, exposing the Colt markings would be a major bonus. I was able to expose the serial number (94662) with sanding, brass brush and vinegar but it was very difficult and did wear down the number a bit.

Some questions I have but cannot yet answer:

Did the metal heat so much that the molten brass bonded molecularly with the steel?

Did the extreme heating of the steel alter its properties lowering its melting point closer to the brass?

Brass melting point is about 1700 F and steel is about 2500 F but this steel is from 1860, does that change things?

Is there a chemical that will melt brass and leave steel alone?

Just an FYI as to my progress so far:

I am easily able to grind the brass off with a Dremel. I have tested this on a thick section of the melted brass. I don't use this method because it grinds down the metal very quickly and would probably result in my grinding off the markings.

I have soaked the brass in vinegar and copper solvent for many hours with no effect (other than a slight green coating)

I have held a propane torch over a section of the piece with a heavy brass deposit for about 5 minutes. The area turned all sorts of colors but the brass would not budge being prodded by a metal chisel and a stainless steel brush. I was releuctant to get the metal glowing hot as I am not sure what affect it would have.

I have ordered a bottle of Ferric Chloride but not sure it will be strong enough to actually melt through a few thousands of an inch of brass.

Again, all I want to do is see the markings on the barrel and maybe the frame. I expect a little bit of damage is possible but not destruction of the markings. This project is just for me to have a little piece of history.

If this post would do better in another forum, please let me know.

Thanks,

John

Information

Warning: This is a relatively older thread This discussion is older than 360 days. Some information contained in it may no longer be current.

[Aragorn243]

I'd try to find a wire wheel that is hard enough to cut the brass but too soft to cut the steel. That should take if right off without much difficulty.

[Sunray]

Nothing is going to help that piece. I'd make a box frame and hang it up just the way it is. And come up with the biggest BS story I could.

[#1oilman]

Trouble is now that the piece has been exposed to extreme heat the steel has been annealed and most likely quite soft itself, I agree with Sunray put it in a shadow box and perhaps include a photo of an intact 51

[jdalton]

I just bought some brass dremel brushes. Here's hoping.

---------- Post added at 05:01 PM ---------- Previous post was at 04:57 PM ----------

To anneal the steel you would need temperatures over 1400 degrees, the piece never reached that as it never got red hot. The brass got to purple which indicates about 600 degrees. I quit after that due to the length of time it took to even get there. I doubt I will try heat again, I am going either chemical or mechanical.

[WarPig1976]

Doesn't Ammonia eat brass??

[Merle]

Doesn't Ammonia eat brass??

I bet that would take a LOT of ammonia....

[jdalton]

By mixing 2 parts household Hydrogen Peroxide with 1 part household vinegar you get a copper/brass solvent. I have been soaking it for about 8 hours and the brass is almost gone. I scrubbed it with a stiff toothbrush every few hours and it looks like the steel is just find but the brass has been dissolved.

[WarPig1976]

Science..!!..

[Gil Boyd]

If all else fails leave it in a tub of Coca Cola