1861 Armisport Springfield Question(s)

[marktaylor]

Re: 1861 Armisport Springfield Question(s)

In the past when it was raining or very humid at an event, I would take a piece of pork fat and rub down the metal. Now, this certainly is not the best method of rust prevention but works well and also makes your weapon smell good.
At home I oil with modern gun oil or grease.

Mark Taylor

[Bob 125th NYSVI]

Re: 1861 Armisport Springfield Question(s)

In the field I take emory paper (I can't find 'cloth' locally) with me to get the heavy rust off the barrel of my 1861 Springfield (EuroArms). Then just hot water and rags to clean out the barrel.

The emory cloth will get the barrel back to armory bright but you can see where it scratches the metal before you polish the barrel.

At home once I have completed a through cleaning I rub the metal with bore butter. Doesn't keep it "armory bright" in the field but does make it a whole lot easier to get the rust off.

And exactly what the heck is "armory bright" So shiney that I can see myself or just so the sun glints off it?

[marktaylor]

Re: 1861 Armisport Springfield Question(s)

I was just browsing through "Confederate Recipes" by West & Johnson, published in 1863. I found this interesting note-


TO KEEP ARMS AND POLISHED METAL FROM RUST.--

Dissolve one ounce of camphor in two pounds of hog's lard, observing to take off the scum, then mix as much black lead as will give the mixture an iron color. Fire arms, &c., rubbed over with this mixture, left twenty-four hours, and then dried with a linen cloth, will keep clean for many months.

[Daniel]

Re: 1861 Armisport Springfield Question(s)

When I was reenacting, I tried to stay away from having my Enfield "armory bright." According to The Ordnace Manual For Use Of The Officers Of The Confederate State Army "In cleaning the arms, great care should be observed to preserve the qualities essential to service, rather than to obtain a bright polish."

I used the technique that Curt quoted from the ordance manual in field cleaning my Enfield after ever use. Putting a piece of leather between the cone and hammer and pouring warm water down the barrel, then pouring it out until it ran clear and finally using a patch and some light oil on the inside of the barrel and outside did well. At home I would always use 0000 steel wool and light oil to clean the outside of the barrel. It knocked off any rust but would maintain the patina on the barrel. This gray patina, once it built up, would help protect the metal.

In my opinion, Scotch-Brite pads and modern emory cloth are generally too harsh on the metal.

The US or CS ordance manuals are, in opinion, still the best manual in learning how to clean and maintain a musket.

Dan Stewart

[David Fox]

Re: 1861 Armisport Springfield Question(s)

Federal heavy artillerymen in the Washington defenses kept their muskets mirror-bright using shop equipment, turning the barrels on lathes as I recall. I find at home 4-0 emory cloth, used lengthwise on the barrel, gives the subdued national armoury bright brushed look. Automobile rubbing compound on fine steel wool then on a rag is good, too, especially on brass. Most oil will darken and rot wood. Look for a grease (like the possibly defunct RIG) that won't, and won't run off, either.

[Gary of CA]

Re: 1861 Armisport Springfield Question(s)

Rennaisance Wax. Especially if you're re-enacting and not shooting. It's PH neutral, microcystelline and may be applied to metal, wood, leather and won't discolor your cherished gun.

[shooter13]

Re: 1861 Armisport Springfield Question(s)

The easiest way to remove rust is 0000 steel wool without any oil ( burn it off with a lighter/match). After polishing off the rust then wipe the weapon with an oily cloth ( any good quality firearms oil but preferably a synthetic based oil) and preserve the weapon by wiping it down a second time and patching the bore with a silicone impregnated rag--sold as rod and gun cloths by Outers and others.. I have carried a blue steel Colt Python for 20 plus years on duty in all weather conditions and this treatment with the rod and gun rag has prevented any rust. And when I say all weather conditions I mean gully-washer downpours to blizzard snows, and the occasional dip in a river (that's wheren a couple of morons ran to before I could lay hands on them over the years:D). The use of a silicone patch through the bore seems to reduce the effects of the corrosives of BP and the salts & corrosives in the caps.

Bill Hess