*** Photos Added *** Spencer Restoration Questions

[Dan Koretz]

I have bought a Spencer M-1865 which has a lot of rust and corrosion. I have considered restoring it, but have heard that this would devalue the gun. I would be interested in anyone's opinion.

I sent photos to Two Flints and he said he would post them for me.













Thanks for you help.

Dan

[Blair]

Dan,

Doesn't look too bad to me, considering.
A little cleaning will help. Just don't go at the cleaning it like your killing snakes!
A good silicone oil and an old tooth brush will do wonders.
I would recommend taking the gun apart as much as you can and cleaning the individual metal group separate from the wood.
There doesn't appear to be much original finish on the metal parts. The main thing is you don't want to cause any more damage to those parts. The nylon tooth will not cause this to happen.
However, I may take a lot of time and multiple cleanings.
Hope this helps.
My best,
Blair

[Dan Koretz]

Thanks. Two Flints suggested Ballistol. Would that work as well?

Dan

[Blair]

Dan,

I have never used Ballistole, so I can't in all honesty say.

My suggestion is based more on conservation of what you already have. You may want something more. That is up to you.
Restoration can be very much more destructive to the firearm on a hole, depending on your ideas of just restoration means to you.
Try the conservation idea first. You have nothing to lose but some of your time and a little work.
My best,
Blair

[Dan Koretz]

Thanks.

Dan

[Dan Koretz]

0ne more qestion. Do you have any brand names for  silicone oil?

Dan

[Blair]

Dan.

"CRC" or "Liquid Wrench".
Any automotive supply place should be able to help you.
My best,
Blair

[Dan Koretz]

Thanks

[Drydock]

Just to add a bit:  for some of those rust patchs you might want some Bronze wool.  You can find that at Midwayusa. 

As to restoration.  If you sent it to someone like Turnbull restorations, you'ld get back a wonderful looking Spencer worth twice what you paid for it.  Which would also be the amount of your bill.  Unless you're willing to let a documented, industry wide respected professional do it, best just to clean it up and preserve what you have.  Any lessor attempt at refinish/restoration would just reduce the value to at best "Old shooter" or at worst, Scrap.

[Dan Koretz]

Thanks. I think I will try to clean it up myself and then think about Turnbull. He is about 30 miles from where I live.

[Jan Buchwald]

Make a chisel, by flattening a (brass) cartridge case, a gentle way to scrabe of rust

[treebeard]

When I was active as a gunsmith I used a product called Steel Wool Sponge used after applying a coat of a good oil such as
BreakfreeCLP. My customers often expressed surprise at how much any remaining blue would be left after the rust came off.
I believe the steel wool is carried by Brownells and I have found it at gunshows. I have heard good things about the use of
bronze wool but have not tried it myself. I did not use Rem Oil as I thought It too light for the purpose. Good Luck and have
fun with your Spencer!

[Dan Koretz]

I'm new to the restoration business. What is bronze wool, steel wool sponge and how do they differ from steel wool?

[dsaylor]

Dan, as a person "new" to antique gun restoration, you might find this kit from IMA useful. (http://www.ima-usa.com/antique-gun-restoration-cleaning-kit.html). It's a good place to start anyways.  You might also read through some of the posts in the British Militaria forums.  These guys have been cleaning up old guns found in the armory in Nepal.  Some have been there, exposed to the elements for 200 years or more.
Good luck.  You've got a nice looking Spencer.  Should be nicer with some TLC.    d

[Dan Koretz]

Thanks. I'll check that site out.

[St. George]

Think more on very gently removing the accumulated detritus and rust and then think about wether or not the cost of a 'Turnbull Job' is going to 'enhance' the piece by paying an extra $2000-$3000.

What you have is the original piece - what you can do is to 'clean' it properly, but if you send it to Turnbull, what you'll have will be a very shiny, reblued used gun that's lacking all original finish, thus its originality has disappeared.

The 'restoration' expense doesn't follow the piece when you sell or trade it - not nearly as much as you'd think - and a lot of Colt and Winchester collectors can confirm that.

Scouts Out!

[Dan Koretz]

I think that you are correct. I don't think I will go the Turnbull route. I've ordered the antique gun restoration kit mentioned above and my goal will be removing the rust and dirt.

[steved66]

Hi Dan,

Your Spencer looks like it would be a good candidate for rust cleaning via electrolysis.  It is a non-abrasive way to remove rust.  All you need is an old phone charger, two pieces of steel, some copper wire and a plastic tank.   I use one of those "under the bed" storage units that they sell at Home Depot.  You can find information on other forums and the Internet on how to set up an electrolysis tank for cleaning rusty firearms.  Being new to the forum, I don't now if forum rules allow us to post links to other forums.  If that's allowed, I can post a link to a tutorial on another forum.

I've used the electrolysis method to clean an old Rolling block and a M1842 musket.  The surface rust and grime lift away.  When done, all you need to do is gently scrub the metal with 0000 steel wool/WD-40 to remove the loose grit/grime/rust then oil the parts to prevent further rust.  You are left with a dull grey patina and absolutely no signs of abrasives or scratch marks.

[Two Flints]

Steve,

Those links are allowed.  Thanks for your post!

Two Flints

[steved66]

Thanks, Two Flints

More information in cleaning rust by using an electrolysis tank can be found on the Surplusrifleforum in the Metal Care section, via the following link:

http://www.surplusrifleforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=80&t=62728