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Repair of old pistols and gunpowder pouches

In good condition, these guns are valuable antique collector’s items. Others that require a bit of work can often be cleaned and restored by hobbyists. Cast metal parts or wooden blanks, which can be molded to replace damaged or missing stock, can be obtained from specialist suppliers. Even old gunpowder explodes, so make sure any gun you’re repairing isn’t loaded. Insert the ramrod, or a piece of wood, into the barrel to check for any obstructions. If there is, remove it with a modern shotgun cleaning rod that has a screw tip, or use a regular steel screw welded to a stiff piece of wire. Screw the rod gently into the obstruction and pull it out like a cork. Wash the barrel with hot water and dry it.

To disassemble the pistol, first cock it halfway, then remove the screw holding the wrench (on flintlock) or hammer (on percussion type) and slide it out. Unscrew the hubcap pivot and screw the fixing spring under the plate: remove the parts. Unscrew the retaining bolts or screws and remove the lock plate. Multiple screwdrivers may be needed – the blade must fit exactly into each screw or bolt slot so as not to chip the screw or bolt. If they are difficult to remove, applying a bit of penetrating oil will do the trick. To remove a spark mechanism, loosen the four bolts that hold the mainspring, sear, sear, and flange. Compress the main spring (in a small vise), back out the spring screw and remove the spring. The pin at the rear of the mainspring hooks into the lock plate and the other end of the spring hooks into the nose of the drum.

Remove rust with fine sandpaper or powder. Be sure to remove all abrasive dust after cleaning. Coat all parts with Vaseline and reassemble. Press the barrel down to the firing position so that the end of the mainspring passes over it. Install the key and pull it back to the half-cocked position so that the tip of the barrel compresses the mainspring. Assemble the rest of the parts in the reverse order of disassembly.

To clean the barrel, first remove it from the stock. A metal extension of the barrel, the tang, is inserted into the stock. Remove the dowel screws and any retaining bands or pins. The trigger guard tubes, butt cap and ramrod are screwed or nailed and must be removed with great care. If the bolts won’t yield to penetrating oil, leave them alone; it will be a job for an antique restorer to pierce them. Barrels and other metal parts can be cleaned with a mixture of oil and paraffin. Re-polish all parts with progressively finer abrasives; finish with crocus paper or jeweler’s emery. Some barrels may have been blued to prevent rust and a special bluening fluid can be purchased from a gunsmith. Try not to leave fingerprints on the barrel, as this causes rust.

Clean the broth with steel wool and linseed oil. If the material is broken, repair it with epoxy mixed to a paste with matching dyed sawdust. If the stock is beyond minor repairs, a new stock can be made from a completely new piece of wood. The small teeth on the cylinder head can be removed using hot steam from an iron. Place a cloth over the tooth and apply the hot iron.

Powder jars were made in hundreds of designs and various materials. However, most ancient jars were pear-shaped and made of tin, brass, or Britannia metal. Metal flasks were usually made in two halves welded together. If the seam has split, find out what alloy the muffle is made of before attempting to re-weld it. A simple test is to put a few drops of water in a cup and add the same number of drops of nitric acid, which can be obtained from a chemist. Put a drop of the solution on the metal to reveal the color. Reddish brown indicates bronze; yellow and yellow-red, brass; dark gray, pewter; and shiny silver-grey, Britannia metal. To polish the antique hip flask, use the technique appropriate to the material it is made of. Many powder jars have very fine detailed etchings, embosses, or engravings that give them their unique look. An antique gun without its matching or specific powder flask loses its appeal when antique collectors are looking to add something to their collection.

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