** UPDATE ** Best Way to Protect Bare Metal on Spencer Carbine

[Two Flints]

Hi,

Recently, I had the good luck to find a Spencer carbine barrel & receiver at a yard sale.  The barrel and receiver had been painted glossy black by the owner, which I removed, exposing the bare metal underneath.  I have all the parts necessary to make this a shooting Spencer Carbine.

I have just finished cleaning all the outside metal parts that I plan to fit to an original stock with the barrel and receiver just purchased.  In other words, I will have a complete Spencer carbine, inside and out.

I kind of like the look of the bare metal I have uncovered and cleaned.  If I don't do any browning (first choice) or blueing (second choice) of the exterior metal parts, what would be the best way of protecting the bare metal parts from rust.









Two Flints

[Coffinmaker]

Boeshield T-9.  Lubricant and rust inhibitor.

Coffinmaker

[Fox Creek Kid]

Another option:

http://www.restorationproduct.com/

[Old Top]

Two Flints,

Browning is actualy rusting, it provides an outer layer that protects the inner layer.  If you do noting it will turn plumb brown but it will take a while, if you use the browning, which is my opinion, it will look quite nice.

Old Top

[Two Flints]

Thanks for the options,

Fox Creek Kid thanks for the link and is the suggestion you're making RENAISSANCE WAX/POLISH to protect the bare metal? 

Old Top, thanks for replying again, I have purchased a browning solution and that is still an option. 

Coffinmaker, thanks, too, for the suggestion of Boeshield T-9.  Lubricant and rust inhibitor.

Two Flints

[St. George]

Microcrystalline Wax.

Vaya,

Scouts Out!

[Shotgun Franklin]

You could always paint it a glossy black??

[maldito gringo]

I seem to remember an AGI video where Bob Dunlap mentions trying a number of products by treating some unusable gun barrels and throwing them in a snowbank for the winter. After a few months the only one with no rust whatsoever was the one he sprayed down with Breakfree.

[Fox Creek Kid]

...Fox Creek Kid thanks for the link and is the suggestion you're making RENAISSANCE WAX/POLISH to protect the bare metal?...

Yep, this microcrystalline wax is what museums use. The Boeshield as recommended by Coffinmaker is great stuff as well from what I read.

[Fox Creek Kid]

Here's an interesting test:

http://www.myboatstore.com/corrosion_inhibitor.asp

[44caliberkid]

Johnson's paste wax.   Used by many firearms collectors and museums.

[jefff]

does any one have the formula for the the renisance wax? been trying to come up with something close but have trouble geeting it to dry.jeff

[Paladin UK]

This stuff is fantastic....

Dont need much and it covers brill!!



Paladin (What swears by Renaissance Polish  ) UK

[Ten Wolves Fiveshooter]

         I use Min-Wax paste, and also use it on all my metal tools, it works great, I usually put on three coats for best results, you can find Min-Wax products most any where hard wear and paint products are sold. Look like you will have a fine rifle when all is done, Congrats pard.


               tEN wOLVES 

[Two Flints]

Hello to all and thanks for responding to my original question.  

I decided to brown my yard sale Spencer barrel and receiver.  I've done the same thing to my flint locks in the past and always liked the final look.  I used Laurel Mountain Barrel Brown & Degreaser.  I went to their web site and downloaded the directions for applying Laurel Mountain barrel brown and degreaser. The photos show how it turned out.









Had to replace some beat up old screws with new ones purchased from S&S Firearms, along with their centerfire breech block. I still have to brown the screws.

At first the action was kind of rough and the breechblock would hang-up.  After some troubleshooting, I discovered that the screw holding the Magazine Follower had become distorted and was not allowing the Follower to move freely up and down.  I replaced that screw, and got the Magazine Follower to move freely in and out, and the breechblock stopped sticking.

Once the action was working OK, I loaded two of the 56-50 Hull Blanks I received from Todd Koster of Black Squirrel Arsenal & Armory.  They chambered just fine and went off with a loud bang, and ejected OK.  I then tried two of Todd's Brass Blanks and they chambered just fine, too, but I had to tilt my Spencer barrel up to get the brass blanks to slide out.

Next step is to fire a few live rounds.    

BTW, I have another original Spencer Carbine, in pieces, that I will try to put together in the coming weeks.

Two Flints

[Montana Slim]

Good choice on finish...browning would also be my first choice under the circumstances.

Great minds and all ...
Cheers!
Slim

[Steel Horse Bailey]

Fine job, Dos Flintos!

When you're sick of that brown, fugg-ly gun, feel free to send it to me ... I'l get rid of it for you!