Handguns Colt Model 1860 Cleaning

[Jason DVM]

It's a beautiful piece, and I would leave it alone, except for a little light oiling - welcome to the forums!

What type of oil do you recommend? Thanks.

 

[James N.]

What type of oil do you recommend? Thanks.

I've just used ordinary machine oil, though I used to have a lightly scented oil sold by my favorite antique gun shop that I really liked!

 

[Jason DVM]

I had to do some cleaning, tonight.
Had a good day of shooting my Ruger. The caps are giving me a problem: they burst apart and jam the cylinder. I may need some repair done such as replacement of one of the internal parts that may have gotten too much rust.

View attachment 315438

Love this picture! I am intrigued by all things Confederate...any recommendations for good reading and reputable artifact dealers. I am only familiar with Heritage Auctions. Thanks.

 

[James N.]

Thanks for the suggestions Jim. Is WD-40 a good penetrating oil and safe for antiques?

Apparently not: it's base is diesel oil - hence the "D" in WD - and it will supposedly clog things up once it begins to dry out.

 

[DixieRifles]

Is WD-40 a good penetrating oil and safe for antiques?

I have stated that I used WD-40 for a field cleaning of the replica gun when I finish firing it. This gives me time to get back to home for a more thorough cleaning. I don't use it as much now. It does seem to give a nice sheen to my rifle stocks.
Now I'm testing out Balistol for various cleaning and wipe-downs.

I am having some difficulty with my pistol freezing up. It appears to be building up fowling down at base of the hammer and mechanism. Sometimes it is a busted cap that wedges between the cylinder and frame.

 

[Jason DVM]

Stupid question, but is Ballistol safe to use on an antique? My biggest concern is doing irreparable harm to this revolver.

 

[Dusty]

WD-40, the WD, Water Displacement. Which is what it was designed to do. I use it to wipe off the outside of my guns, receiver, barrels etc. But for the mechanism and bores I use REM oil. Or believe it or not, Mobil One oil is a great choice for firearms. Use it on the insides also.

 

[sourdough]

Ballistol is very safe to use with your revolver.

Insofar as books, these are the ones I have, in no particular order.

"The Original Confederate Colt" (Leech & Rigdon, Rigdon & Ansley Revolvers) William A. Albaugh/Richard D. Steuart, 1953

"The Confederate Brass-Framed Colt & Whitney" William A. Albaugh, 1955

"Confederate Revolvers" William A. Gary, 1987

"Confederate Handguns" Albaugh, Benet, Simmons, 1963

"Confederate Arms" Albaugh, Simmons 1958

" '51 Colt Navies" Nathan L. Swayze, 1967

"The Colt Model 1860 Army Revolver" Charles W. Pate, 2018

"Colt's Variations Of The Old Model Pocket Pistol 1848-1872" P.L. Shumaker, 1957

That's all I have. Most all are available online, primarily Amazon.

Save up some bucks!

Jim

 

[sourdough]

If you are into Confederate revolvers and don't have deep pockets, the alternative is Italian replicas.

Mine are all based upon Pietta 1851 Navy "type" revolvers, to mostly include Confederate guns, pictured here.

Augusta Machine Works

Leech & Rigdon Schneider & Glassick

Rigdon & Ansley Griswold & Gunnison

The only one of these that Pietta marketed was the G&G. The rest are parts guns. CNC machined Piettas are like Legos as parts are interchangeable with their 1851 Navies and their 1860 Armies, per caliber, with an exception for the "tail" grip frame assembly, which is minor.

You have a good evening, Jason!

Regards,

Jim

 

[Mint Julep]

Thanks for the suggestions Jim. Is WD-40 a good penetrating oil and safe for antiques?

Don't use penetrating oil on firearms; it goes where it shouldn't. Use a lubricating oil designed for firearms. I would suggest Hoppe's No. 9, you can find it at almost any store that carries firearms products.

 

[DixieRifles]

Hoppe's No. 9,

You are referring to Hoppe's No. 9 Lubricating Oil and not the Solvent or Bore Cleaner.

 

[Jason DVM]

Wow...thank you all for your great suggestions! I'm a little confused about the conflicting advice regarding penetrating oil but will most likely try either the Hoppe's or Ballistol product for loosening the jammed wedge. Do you recommend applying oil to the external metal and wood surfaces as well? As you can tell, I am a newbie at this! Thanks.

 

[Lanyard Puller]

I'll also vote for Balistol, and just FYI, the wedge is upside down {slot goes on the top} on your revolver, causing it to jam.

 

[Jason DVM]

Thank you...another forum member observed that as well. The wedge is tightly jammed in (for the past year or 150 years?). I will attempt to remove this weekend with aforementioned oil and rubber mallet. Any other suggestions?

 

[Jason DVM]

I have a Hoppe's cleaning kit for my Colt .45. Are these products safe to use on an antique? Disassemble first? Clean bore? Unfortunately I cannot locate an antique gun dealer or gunsmith in the greater Seattle area to consult so you all are my sounding board! If recommended, I want to clean/protect prior to mounting in a display box. However, I do not want to irreparable damage the gun. Any literature, website, or human gunsmith recommendations? I promise to stop "beating this dead horse" soon!

 

[Jason DVM]

Ballistol is very safe to use with your revolver.

Insofar as books, these are the ones I have, in no particular order.

"The Original Confederate Colt" (Leech & Rigdon, Rigdon & Ansley Revolvers) William A. Albaugh/Richard D. Steuart, 1953

"The Confederate Brass-Framed Colt & Whitney" William A. Albaugh, 1955

"Confederate Revolvers" William A. Gary, 1987

"Confederate Handguns" Albaugh, Benet, Simmons, 1963

"Confederate Arms" Albaugh, Simmons 1958

" '51 Colt Navies" Nathan L. Swayze, 1967

"The Colt Model 1860 Army Revolver" Charles W. Pate, 2018

"Colt's Variations Of The Old Model Pocket Pistol 1848-1872" P.L. Shumaker, 1957

That's all I have. Most all are available online, primarily Amazon.

Save up some bucks!

Jim

Thank you so much for great book recommendations and pics! Time to visit my public library website.

 

[Kurt G]

Don't use Hoppes #9 solvent or bore cleaner for black powder residue . It's meant for smokeless powder and doesn't do well on black powder . The oil is fine.

 

[Waterloo50]

Apparently not: it's base is diesel oil - hence the "D" in WD - and it will supposedly clog things up once it begins to dry out.

I'm pretty sure that the 'D' in WD40 stands for 'Displacement', the 40 in WD40 was the inventors 40th attempt at getting the formula to work, the name of the product is Water Displacement 40. I only know that because I follow motorcycle racing and WD40 sponsor a race team.

 

[Lanyard Puller]

Before you attempt to remove the wedge Google search "Colt 1860 Army, wedge". Check out the photos. Notice it is 2 pieces {plus the screw}, one being a small spring, the exposed end of which must be compressed to clear the slot in the frame, before whacking it.

 

[James N.]

WD-40, the WD, Water Displacement. Which is what it was designed to do. I use it to wipe off the outside of my guns, receiver, barrels etc. But for the mechanism and bores I use REM oil. Or believe it or not, Mobil One oil is a great choice for firearms. Use it on the insides also.

I'm pretty sure that the 'D' in WD40 stands for 'Displacement', the 40 in WD40 was the inventors 40th attempt at getting the formula to work, the name of the product is Water Displacement 40. I only know that because I follow motorcycle racing and WD40 sponsor a race team.

Thanks for the clarification - in any event, my understanding is still that diesel forms the main ingredient to WD-40.