Light pitting rust on original 1863 Springfield.

[BugZND1887]

Like the title says I got this Springfield for a good price, the pitting looks normal until you shine a light into it and then I can see some rust. Should I try and remove it with a scotch bright and oil? The pitting is very light and the rifle is in very good shape the bore is perfect on it. Thanks in advance.

 

[JOHN42768]

Wait for the experienced input before you do anything

 

[UCVRelics]

I would leave it as is. If you try a remove the light rust you will also remove the patina. I would just keep it lightly oiled to insure no more rust.

 

[BugZND1887]

I would leave it as is. If you try a remove the light rust you will also remove the patina. I would just keep it lightly oiled to insure no more rust.

That's kinda what I was thinking but I wanted to make sure I wasn't crazy thinking oil will stop the rust.

 

[Craig L Barry]

Let me hasten to add...I've seen a lot worse.

 

[BugZND1887]

Let me hasten to add...I've seen a lot worse.

I actually used 000000 SS steel wool and it took the surface rust off and then oiled it real well and it didn't take any pitting off and can't see any rust without a light. Now I'm just waiting for my pin gauges to come and see what minnies to buy.

 

[Jeff in Ohio]

This was once a musket that had rusted brown, with some pitting. Someone rubbed the metal with steel wool so that it took the brown off the high points, but left the brown in the bottom of the pits.
You can decide to chemically remove the rust (you can remove the metal and soak it in vinegar, for example), but the pits will remain, and all the metal with have a similar silver color.
This gun has no real patina on it - just old brown rust in the pits, and light metal where the rust was rubbed off the high points.