British East India Company Model F Percussion Musket

[Aragorn243]

Took another chance on one of IMA's untouched Nepal rifles. They are on sale this weekend only for $395 which is approximately $150 off their regular price. Free shipping also. I'll post some photos when it arrives. I was pleased with the Gahandra I got from them.

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]

Musket arrived today. Not bad, maybe equal to or better than the Gahandra I got recently. Totally clueless how to take it apart but managed to figure it out. No missing parts but some broken bolts and totally rusted out screws. Lock and trigger work fine but need cleaned badly. Stock has rot around the metal pins that I'll have to repair. Barrel has some bad pitting under the wood line. Needs an electrolysis bath so I can see how bad.

[gew8805]

I've been interested in those for a while, can you show pics of what you received?

[Aragorn243]

I did take some before photos. It's all torn apart now. stock cleaned and dried out so I can start the wood repairs. Metal going through electrolysis. Depressing news today is the main spring just up and snapped today while I was cleaning it. Any way they can be repaired? My Gahandra spring was busted so I was happy when this one appeared to be in good shape and functional.

Bad news is the sale is over ant they are back up to $550.00.

I'll try to get photos up shortly.

[Aragorn243]

Here are some photos as received. I'm currently in the process of cleaning, repairing and rust removal. Question on the brass fittings and there are many. As of now, I have just cleaned the stock and cleaned the brass by lightly brushing it. It is for the most part yellow but tarnished. In other words, it has its patina. Should I leave it that way or polish it. I imagine they were polished when in use but these are really before my level of experience.

Some interesting things have come up in the cleaning process. All sorts of marks on the barrel, mostly under the wood line. Some marks on the wood also. There is a tiny LACY or TACY OR RACY on the bottom of the butt stock. This is stamped, not written. A larger SI in the space between the trigger guard. A large IR or IK under the trigger guard. Two small crowns just behind the trigger guard. Possibly a JF near the LACY. Possible remains of the lion crest on the butt but not clear at all. Quite a bit of nepalese writing done free hand.

Very nice lion crest on the lock which unfortunately doesn't seem to appear in the photo. Exterior of lock looks real nice with nice color. Interior had a good bit of rust.

[painter777]

All sorts of marks on the barrel, mostly under the wood line. Some marks on the wood also.

This link may be helpful sorting out the markings.

http://www.armsregister.com/arms_reg...ket_c1840s.pdf

Charlie-Painter777

[Steve H. in N.Y.]

Thanks for posting the photos. I hope you'll keep us up to date on your progress. Any sign of a date on the lock? For what it's worth, when I cleaned up my Snider I polished the brass parts and when I put it together it looked ridiculous. I ended up dulling the parts with ammonia fumes and they look okay now.

[Aragorn243]

There are lots of weird markings on the interior of the lock but no date that I can decipher. Some are pretty straightforward letters. Others are swirly shapes or letters that don't appear to be Nepalese but I can't tell what they are. They resemble unit markings but I can't see them being stamped on the interior of the lock or the underside of the barrel where they are. I believe I have all the rust off the barrel now. May put the lock back in for a bit tomorrow. I think I'll let the brass alone for now. Wait until the stock is finished before final decision but I can see your point about it looking bad with a stock that has seen lots of action.

[Aragorn243]

Metal about as rust free as it's going to get. Something is in the bottom of the barrel and the nipple is clogged. Whatever it is is somewhat soft. I need to make a tool to get it out of there. Should be a challenge. I took photos of all the english markings and will try to get them posted today, just not a little after midnight. I got the broken screw out of the lock today, came out very easily oddly enough. I think this one was broken when I got it as the lock was not fully in and the screw turned free at the start. I think I'm going to try to get these broken bolts welded back together. Hopefully that will work.

[painter777]

Something is in the bottom of the barrel

I need to make a tool to get it out of there......

how the steel/rust just eats away so much wood

Would it be possible to weld a drill bit or easy out to a rod long enough to attempt pulling the 'something in the barrel' out?
I don't know if these barrels are smooth bore or have grooves, if grooved you might have to take that into account for spin direction upon backing the obstruction out. A long rod welded to a easy out or drill bit could allow use of a screw gun. Just tossing out a thought.

Types of Fasteners Used:
The information below comes from a chart that measures: The corrosion (Rust) to the amount of wood decay from multiple factors. Some, but not all of these factors are: the woods moisture level, humidity, how much salt in the wood and acetic acid... etc.
But to keep it simple, in short: Rust will decay wood.

Woods are commonly associated with corrosion of metals in contact with them under damp conditions. Iron and steel (Magnetic) are much more susceptible to the corrosive influence of wood than (Non Magnetic) like aluminium, copper or brass.

The rusting of iron is frequently accompanied by deterioration of the wood immediately next to it. Wood in contact with actively rusting iron or steel suffers a loss in tensile strength and decay. The woods compressive strength is affected to a lesser degree than to the rate of decay.

Your Metal.. is really coming out very nice, nice seeing the stock has revealed markings... good job.

Enjoy your hunt and good luck....... Be Safe

Charlie-Painter777