Preserving Enfield Lock

[dvrmte]

Greetings,

My son found a rusty old Enfield lock, in the cocked position. It was found near an old farm site that was bulldozed down about thirty years ago. There weren't any battles or skirmishes around here but there were many Confederate veterans living around.

My questions are how to preserve it and why is it in the cocked position?

 

[johan_steele]

Looks more like an M1841 or 42 lock to me than an Enfield. I would leave it as found, w/ that level of corrosion it's at best a "dug" item.

 

[dvrmte]

I think you're right Shane. After comparing it again I see the top of the lockplate has the same profile.

All I've done to it was to soak it in water and brush off the excess crud with a toothbrush. You don't think I need to put anything on it? The value to me is that it was found on my property so it has sentimental value.

dvrmte

 

[wilber6150]

I think you're right Shane. After comparing it again I see the top of the lockplate has the same profile.

All I've done to it was to soak it in water and brush off the excess crud with a toothbrush. You don't think I need to put anything on it? The value to me is that it was found on my property so it has sentimental value.

dvrmte

You definitly need to put a preservative on it or it will just begin to flake away..I found a Brown Bess lockplate, about 15 years ago and did a search of relic hunters websites until I found a preservative to use.. If I remember right it was some sore of rust stabilizer and preservative froman auto parts store..Its worked good so far..Try contacting some relic hunter clubs, or metal detector shops they should have some good ideas on what to use..

 

[dvrmte]

You definitly need to put a preservative on it or it will just begin to flake away..I found a Brown Bess lockplate, about 15 years ago and did a search of relic hunters websites until I found a preservative to use.. If I remember right it was some sore of rust stabilizer and preservative froman auto parts store..Its worked good so far..Try contacting some relic hunter clubs, or metal detector shops they should have some good ideas on what to use..

Thanks Wilber. I don't metal detect but I find horse shoes, broken plows, plus I found an old trash pit that I haven't excavated yet. Might let my boys have the pleasure. I find more Indian artifacts than anything else. The lockplate was a very unexpected find. I started picking at some spots of dried red clay on the inside of the lock and found a stamping. I'll have to find a magnifying glass to read it.

I'm going to be patient, I know there are some of our members that have the answer. Hey it's already a debate! Shane says leave it alone(kinda sorta agree), Wilber says put a preservative on it, maybe?

Thanks,

dvrmte

 

[wilber6150]

Well, something to stabalize the rust, Ive had other things that I haven't treated and they just start to flake away big chunks..

 

[ole]

By all means, halt the rusting, but don't try to clean it up -- the rust was the lock.