Just thought I'd share my latest acquisition with my dark arts bro's. I got it cheap, very rusty wall hanger, missing lots of parts. I completely disassembled it and started everything soaking in Ballistol. It apparently spent a long time standing upright in a barn. A fine brown dirt had settled in the bottom of the barrel and ramrod hole about 2 inches deep. I made a scraper from a coat hanger and got it all busted loose and out of the gun. The butt plate and butt end of the stock were the worst from sitting on the floor, getting wet and drying out over and over.
After I gently cleaned the stock it was all the same color again and is looking great after some coats of boiled linseed oil. I only used 0000 steel wool, no sanding, just removed the dirt. Still has a lot of battle scars.
I took Ballistol and Brownells stainless steel sponge to the metal parts. This just removes rust and leaves any original finish intact. Other than some heavy pitting around the breach end of the barrel it came out pretty good with a lot of original blue still left. I was thrilled when after cleaning the government eagle showed up on the end of the bolster. I also uncovered the US marking on the butt plate just this morning. I ordered replacement parts from S&S Firearms and got mostly original parts except for the nipple, one barrel bands spring, and the trigger guard sling loop.
When she's done she'll look like a well used war veteran. I've wanted one of these for a long time but couldn't afford a nice one. Yes, I will shoot this puppy when it's done.