*** Photos Added *** I want to introduce my Spencer!

[Spencer Fan]

This Spencer was part of the inventory of an antique store my father purchased in the 80's. Any advice on cleaning the metal surfaces? All the mechanics seem to be in working order. They were well lubricated.




















                                          (Photos Added by Two Flints)

[Trailrider]

Is there rust on the surface? If NOT, then wipe the metal with regular gun cleaning liquid. Do NOT polish the surfaces, as this will destroy any collectors' value!

[Snakeeater]

Once "scale" like this forms on a metallic surface, there really is not much of anything you can do, except to maintain the present condition and guard against further deterioration. Although there are chemical strippers that will remove the surface rust, they cannot restore or replace any metal that has already been lost, and if applied, they will not only remove the rust, they will remove any bluing (which is also a form of rust) and may even etch the surface. In fact, the finish on your rifle's receiver looks like it may have been tin- (if not nickel-) plated, so those areas where the plating remains will continue to be protected but not without some personal assistance (i.e. regular maintenance). Removing the rust would be akin to replacing all the wood with new wood, or replacing all the screws, etc, with new ones, such that in time, your rifle would cease to be valued as a rifle in its original condition but a rebuild. Like Jason's ship (from the Argonaut's of Greek myth) was preserved for some 300 years. Every time a timber was found to have rotted it was replaced, such that in time (after 200 years or so), all the timbers had been replaced, and while the ship looked like the ship the Argonauts had travelled aboard, it was not the same ship because all of its original parts had been replaced with new-made parts. There was nothing left of the original ship except for the legend.

[treebeard]

To remove light surface rust I apply a good quality oil and then Lightly scrub with a product know as Steel Wool Sponge--This is NOT the steel wool most people are familiar with --it does a good job of removing the rust and leaving any remaining blueing intact. It
can be obtained from Brownells.com. Do Not use standard steel wool. Other posters may have favorite methods of rust removal-
remember --these are antiques and cleaning improperly can decrease the value of the firearm or destroy it all together.

I find the  Colorado territory marking interesting (if it is ligit) as this would be one of the 500 full rifles sent  there in 1868
per a reference in Marcot's book.

[Trailrider]

Once "scale" like this forms on a metallic surface, there really is not much of anything you can do, except to maintain the present condition and guard against further deterioration. Although there are chemical strippers that will remove the surface rust, they cannot restore or replace any metal that has already been lost, and if applied, they will not only remove the rust, they will remove any bluing (which is also a form of rust) and may even etch the surface. In fact, the finish on your rifle's receiver looks like it may have been tin- (if not nickel-) plated, so those areas where the plating remains will continue to be protected but not without some personal assistance (i.e. regular maintenance). Removing the rust would be akin to replacing all the wood with new wood, or replacing all the screws, etc, with new ones, such that in time, your rifle would cease to be valued as a rifle in its original condition but a rebuild. Like Jason's ship (from the Argonaut's of Greek myth) was preserved for some 300 years. Every time a timber was found to have rotted it was replaced, such that in time (after 200 years or so), all the timbers had been replaced, and while the ship looked like the ship the Argonauts had travelled aboard, it was not the same ship because all of its original parts had been replaced with new-made parts. There was nothing left of the original ship except for the legend.

Kinda like the guy who wanted to keep his old car running, so he jacked up the radiator cap and started replacing parts. When he had everything else replaced, he changed the cap! 

[Spencer Fan]

Thanks to all for your interest. I would like to get more info on this particular rifle. Any suggestions?

Spencer Fan

[Two Flints]

How about this link for starters - read the information . . . the battles mentioned might be Googled for more info on the Spencer.

http://www.collegehillarsenal.com/shop/product.php?productid=182

Two Flints