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Thread: Restoring an old Fusil Gras mle 1874

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    Contributing Member Aragorn243's Avatar
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    Hard to tell from the photos if this will work with your barrel but you can give it a try.

    The first attempt to remove rust I use is scraping it off. Some guys insist on using softer metals like an old penny. I generally use the flat back of an old pocketknife blade. Yes it's steel which is as hard as the barrel and the potential is there for scratching but I've never had much issue with that. The edge is not sharp, it's slightly rounded and basically crushes the rust off. It does not harm the finish where their is no rust and where there is rust, it usually leaves an appearance very similar to the unrusted areas. I have a lot of posts on here with before and after photos so you can see how they turned out. This only really works if the metal is not pitted or at least not pitted much or deep. It's time consuming and labor intensive but it is also very satisfying watching the steel come back to life.

    If pitted, I go to method two which is electrolysis. They say this does not remove the existing finish but in my experience it does to a degree at least. Another method I used because I did not have access to an electrolysis set up (they aren't super expensive, about $40-$50) is soaking it in white vinegar. This removes everything to bright metal with the exception of deep pitting in which it turns the orange rust to a more stable black rust. I don't use this method anymore with the exception of small parts. But in your case with the rifles value already gone so originality is no longer important, you could to this with the intention of re-bluing afterwards.

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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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