Muzzleldrs My Chocolate Lorenz

[Conquerordie]

I've been looking for a Lorenz for awhile now. The prices have been higher than I can afford, or was willing to pay. A few weeks ago The Union Drummer Boy posted an attic condition example. Price was right, and now it's mine! It has very heavy patina matching on all metal and wood. I wiped all metal with Ballistol to stop active rusting. Applied several coats of Kramer's over a week or two. Then two coats of Renaissance Wax.

To my eye it is a typical Type 1 export variant. No cheek piece, still in its original .547 caliber, four lands and grooves visible.

Lock is dated 859 and has what remains of the double eagle.

The barrel bands all have some sort of markings. An asterisk looking mark on the front band. Hard to tell about the others as they are not clear due to the heavy patina.

Has the original Enblock Type 1 rear site and rammer.

The only other mark I find is a small 37 on the butt plate

It's was a long task to get this gun apart. Screws didn't want to turn, barrel bands were stuck on. I was able to get it a part with a lot of patience, didn't damage any patina. No other marks were found on the gun. It looks like there might be a small EW or EF on the underside of the barrel, but forgot to take a picture. I don't want to tempt faith and try to disassemble this rifle again.
As far as I have read, these were used by both sides of the war, so their is probably no telling who used it. Union Drummerboy said it came out of New England, but as to period use.....who knows. I'm just glad I have a great chocolate colored Lorenz that I can enjoy. Comments are always welcomed. Thanks

 

[Jeff in Ohio]

I like 'em like that!

 

[scooter748driver]

Very nice! Congratulations.

 

[Library Lady]

OK, so I'm a woman who pretty much knows zilch about guns. When I saw the title of this thread I was expecting . . . something else. Still, it looks like a lovingly cared for piece. I'm glad you got what you wanted!

Now, just to be clear, in the future if anyone mentions a chocolate heart, I'm going to be expecting this:

Not a bag of these:

 

[Cornpone and Molasses]

I like 'em like that!

Me too Jeff!

 

[rebracer]

Very nice find! The Lorenz is a great overlooked arm by many that was so heavily used.

Im guessing you did not attempt to disassemble it based on your post, correct? Im curious the condition of the internals and underside of the barrel.

 

[Conquerordie]

Rebracer,

I did disassemble as much as I could. After awhile I was able to get the barrel bands off, the lock off, and barrel out of the stock. The screws to the butt plate and trigger guard are not gonna move, so those where just preserved in place.

The lock internals were dirty. I did not disassemble the lock, just Ballistol to clean internals, and a light oil afterwards. The barrel is the original armoury bright on the underside, and looks the total opposite of the top. Wiped down with Ballistol.
I put a coat of Kramer's in the barrel channel, let it dry and reassembled the rifle. Then proceeded with the steps I mentioned above.

I agree the Lorenz might not get as much love as the other rifles more commonly used. But we know they were used in fairly good numbers here on both sides. I have no doubt being and export variety made for the American market, that it served here with someone. I'm very proud to own it.

 

[Nach0papa]

I just found your post and I have one that looks exactly like yours. I'm now trying to figure out how much to clean it up versus leave it as is?. Are You still keeping it exactly as is? Did you do any other work to it? I have only done a little bit of de-rusting with 0000 plus some linseed oil. I am not nearly confident enough to take it apart yet.

 

[JOHN42768]

I just found your post and I have one that looks exactly like yours. I'm now trying to figure out how much to clean it up versus leave it as is?. Are You still keeping it exactly as is? Did you do any other work to it? I have only done a little bit of de-rusting with 0000 plus some linseed oil. I am not nearly confident enough to take it apart yet.

Welcome, enjoy

 

[Conquerordie]

I just found your post and I have one that looks exactly like yours. I'm now trying to figure out how much to clean it up versus leave it as is?. Are You still keeping it exactly as is? Did you do any other work to it? I have only done a little bit of de-rusting with 0000 plus some linseed oil. I am not nearly confident enough to take it apart yet.

Nope I left it as is. All that history it would be ashame to clean it. So I just stop any active rust, several coats of Kramer's Antique Restorer, and then a coat of Renaissance Wax.