Best way to remove rebluing

[ewmail15]

Is there a best/safest way to remove rebluing on a Civil War era firearm? Vinegar bath, acetone bath? Just wondering...

 

[UCVRelics]

Thats a good one, I don't have a clue as I leave them as I found them and don't get them if they need anything done to them. paging @johan_steele or @Craig L Barry

 

[johan_steele]

Are you talking an original or a repop? I likely wouldn't touch the blueing on an original but a repro would suggest a vinegar bath.

 

[Albert Sailhorst]

If original, LEAVE IT ALONE!!
If a re-pro, I'll tell you what I know....
Please post a photo, showing who the maker is.
Thanks!

 

[ewmail15]

It's an original Merrill (not mine), that looks in beautiful condition, exception being the rebluing. It's the same on the barrel, the saddle bar and lockplate. I couldn't see any imperfections that would have given whoever it was the idea to do this. Best estimate is the nipple is aftermarket, and only the slightest of pitting on the lockplate face.

 

[johan_steele]

I wouldn't touch it.

 

[ewmail15]

If it were mine, I'd at least try the underside of the barrel/receiver/frame that's hidden by the forend section of the stock. I asked about the selling price. I always heard that rebluing an original vintage firearm destroyed the value.

 

[gary]

Leave it alone.

BTW, at TSJC (gunsmithing skool) we used toilet bowl cleaner to remove bluing. Use rubber gloves and a brush and hosed off when done.

That said, Leave it alone.

 

[Albert Sailhorst]

It's an original Merrill (not mine), that looks in beautiful condition, exception being the rebluing. It's the same on the barrel, the saddle bar and lockplate. I couldn't see any imperfections that would have given whoever it was the idea to do this. Best estimate is the nipple is aftermarket, and only the slightest of pitting on the lockplate face.

View attachment 306879

Thanks for the photo!
Nice piece!
If it were mine, I'd leave it alone...

 

[JOHN42768]

Leave it be. Time will mellow it

 

[UCVRelics]

I agree with all my learned colleagues. LEAVE IT ALONE.

 

[Patrick H]

Add me to the list of those who say "please don't do it."

 

[gary]

I agree with all my learned colleagues. LEAVE IT ALONE.

Reporting you for calling us learned.

Mom!

 

[UCVRelics]

Reporting you for calling us learned.

Mom!

Thats fine as long as you don't call in the calvary

 

[Cpl. Smith]

leave it alone

 

[ewmail15]

It's not mine... but if it was mine, I would have removed all the bluing, because to me rebluing destroys all the historical beauty and age of the metal parts. I'd have given it the gentlest of vinegar baths, and restored her to her former gloriously aged look.

 

[johan_steele]

Reporting you for calling us learned.

Mom!

Report noted. We are not learned we are edumacated.

 

[johan_steele]

To quote @frankconrad hes never seen removing a reblue not damage things worse than leaving it alone.

 

[Gandycreek]

Thought I'd post this Colt Navy I purchased years ago. I bought it cheap because the person I got it from had reblued it. He was actually firing it too. He also used it to re-enact . I had a friend , who was a Gunsmith take the blueing off. It is an early Hartford CT. model . I think it came out pretty good. All numbers match including the wedge. #96650