field stripping a 1861 rifle musket

[rice 123]

I want to remove the stock from my 1861 colt rifle musket so I can check the underside of the barrel for rust and put a coat of light grease on it. It looks like it is pretty straight forward operation remove the tang screw pull out the ramrod and remove the barrel bands is there anything else I need to do or watch out for when I try this.

Information

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[RudyN]

I would set the hammer at half cock so the nipple on the barrel would bot interfere with taking it off. That is what I normally do when I clean my Springfield, however it is a reproduction.

[Patrick Chadwick]

I want to remove the stock from my 1861 colt rifle musket so I can check the underside of the barrel for rust and put a coat of light grease on it.

If you are going to remove the barrel to check/remove dirt/rust, then take the lock out as well. Then you can remove any caked residue from the inside of the lock and clean the woodwork much better in the lock area, where it is often baked onto the wood.

But greasing? I would not use any grease - it soaks into and eventually right through the wood, causing staining. OK, that might only be a problem for your great grandchildren, but you are handling an antique and should avoid the use of incompatible materials.
If/when the barrel is clean, my practice is to wipe down the barrel channel and the bottom of the barrel with the same linseed oil on a rag moistened with natural turpentine that is used for the exterior surface of the woodwork. This also helps to prevent warpage by ensuring the the wood surfces are similar inside and out.

If you feel that this is inadequate protection, then wipe down the barrel with a fairly liquid beeswax dissolved in natural turpentine. The turpentine will dry off, leaving a film of beeswax on the metal in the channel. When you reassmble the rifle, you can simply wipe off any excess wax.

Note the principle: to use only 19th.-century compatible materials.


Patrick

[Johnny Peppers]

The trapdoor Springfield lock was inletted so tight that it is almost impossible to remove the lock without chipping the surrounding wood. I have no idea how tight the Colt is, but be careful in removing the lock plate.

[gew8805]

As Patrick suggests, always remove the lock when disassembling the gun. And it should be done at least once each shooting season or any time that you want to remove the barrel from the stock. The barrel rarely needs to be removed unless moisture has gotten between it and the wood.

The lock is no tighter than it needs to be. If too tight it will cause the stock to split. Guns that have not been disassembled for 50 or 75 years often seem tight but it can be done if you are careful. Remember, they were meant to be taken apart buy people of very little brain. Simple turn the front and back bolts a couple of turns (leaving them still partially threaded into the lock plate) and tap them each lightly, that will get the lock free of it's mortice and you will have no problem removing it after that. Clean any accumulated dirt from the edges of the plate and internal parts and carefully get dirt from the mortice as well.

[gsimmons]

Loosen or take out the tang screw before you try to take the lock out. The bolster or cone seat may bear on the edge of the lock plate.

[gew8805]

Well said gsimmons, good reminder.