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Thread: Restoring an old Fusil Gras mle 1874

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    Question Restoring an old Fusil Gras mle 1874

    So, I have this old rifle, and I want to get it cleaned up a little bit. The rust on the exterior is nasty, but I want to keep some of the patina. The bolt has the nastiest grease I've ever seen, and the barrel looks like it was caked with mud and garbage. Its obviously been modified at some point in its life, as its missing about half of the barrel, as well as the stock that would have gone under it. The cleaning rod is nowhere to be found, probably discarded with the barrel. I dont really want to get it perfect, but it would be nice to shoot it some day.
    I'm new to this whole milsurp/ restoration thing so any help would be greatly appreciated!
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    Last edited by FlammablePig; 09-14-2019 at 12:16 PM.

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    A Collector's View - The SMLE Short Magazine Lee Enfield 1903-1989. It is 300 8.5x11 inch pages with 1,000+ photo’s, most in color, and each book is serial-numbered.  Covering the SMLE from 1903 to the end of production in India in 1989 it looks at how each model differs and manufacturer differences from a collecting point of view along with the major accessories that could be attached to the rifle. For the record this is not a moneymaker, I hope just to break even, eventually, at $80/book plus shipping.  In the USA shipping is $5.00 for media mail.  I will accept PayPal, Zelle, MO and good old checks (and cash if you want to stop by for a tour!).  CLICK BANNER to send me a PM for International pricing and shipping. Manufacturer of various vintage rifle scopes for the 1903 such as our M73G4 (reproduction of the Weaver 330C) and Malcolm 8X Gen II (Unertl reproduction). Several of our scopes are used in the CMP Vintage Sniper competition on top of 1903 rifles. Brian Dick ... BDL Ltd. - Specializing in British and Commonwealth weapons Specializing in premium ammunition and reloading components. Your source for the finest in High Power Competition Gear. Here at T-bones Shipwrighting we specialise in vintage service rifle: re-barrelling, bedding, repairs, modifications and accurizing. We also provide importation services for firearms, parts and weapons, for both private or commercial businesses.
     

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    Removing grease first will be helpful and then using an electro rust removal could help. That returns you to a basic rust free carcass to start on. The wood might need a liquid strip to clean it... We have whole threads about that here... You'll have a hard time keeping a patina while removing the rest.
    Regards, Jim

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    Pictures would help the experts on this forum to give good advice. Many pictures will get you lots of advice.

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    Pics would help...
    Regards, Jim

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    Alright, here are some pictures of the bolt + firing pin, the outside of the barrel, as well as the rest of the gun. If I missed anything let me know. Kinda hard to take a picture of the inside of the barrel, so I cant really show that.

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    Don't know how you'll keep any patina and remove the rust blisters...
    Regards, Jim

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    Well, like I said, Im pretty new to this whole thing, so I dont really have a great understanding of restoration. At this point I just want to get this thing into decent condition, mainly just cleaning up the old grease and removing some of the rust. I really appreciate y'alls patience with me.

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    The excellent Mark Novak provides a wealth of knowledge. For what it's worth, I boiled out my rusted No.5 Mk1 Enfield and was very pleased with the results.

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    When the Gras was surplus they saw everything imaginable. Bar stool legs, lamps, some were modified to carbines and in some cases shot guns.
    on the left side of the receiver there should be a makers mark. It will say Maunfacture de arms and then a name. could you let us know who that was?
    as far as the wood goes, it's original finish was gone years ago. At this point clean, sand and give it a light coat of boiled linseed oilicon or Balistol, which ever is your preference.
    Using brass brushes or bronze wool can knock off the worse of the rust (not use steel wool or a wire wheel. Ever.) after that I would recommend you boil it and then see what you get after that.
    11mm gras is available for a princely sum but reloading for it makes it much cheaper in the long run.

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    I'll second the Mark Novak series.

    Educational AND entertaining!

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