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I have a very nice 1894 in 38-55 DOM 1904 but the mag tube has been reblued at some point & hasn’t caught up with the patina on the barrel or rest of the rifle.
Ive researched how to remove bluing & white vinegar is a common old school trick. Can anyone advise on anything else ie: steel wool, another liquid?
This is not a museum piece, just a shooter, but good wood & barrel & correct sights so would like the mag tube to be less blue. Very noticeable at the moment.
AG
May 2, 2009
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AG,
From what it sound like you don’t want to remove all the blue, just thin it correct? If you use a chemical stripper you will remove all of it. If you want to thin it then you have to use a mechanical method to wear through it.
Bob
WACA Life Member--- NRA Life Member---- Cody Firearms member since 1991 Researching the Winchester 1873's
Email: [email protected]
Yes correct Bob. Just thin it. I thought of using fine steel wool.
AG
September 28, 2016
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You are going to have a hard time “matching” the two different aged finishes. It would probably be much easier watching the auction sites for a used one that matches your patina and then selling yours. Aging is a timed event that doesn’t do well artificially. Just my .02
Erin
November 1, 2013
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AG said
I thought of using fine steel wool.
I’ve used 0000 wool with light oil for the same purpose, but to avoid scratches, the secret is rubbing lightly & taking it slow.
Ya Erin thought of that also. I get the aging thing. I like Clarence’s suggestion so just gotta decide I guess.
AG
June 4, 2017
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Erin Grivicich said
You are going to have a hard time “matching” the two different aged finishes. It would probably be much easier watching the auction sites for a used one that matches your patina and then selling yours. Aging is a timed event that doesn’t do well artificially. Just my .02
Erin
AG, The black art of artificially aging a magazine tube will always end bad and steel wool leaves bare shiny metal without patina. I have gone so far as buy a donor gun to get a tube to match, if the gun was rare enough. The thing you have going for you is your 94 is turning and a tube in that condition will be more common. It might be hard to match color with just a picture, I would suggest looking at the gun shows with your gun in hand. T/R
November 1, 2013
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TR said
AG, The black art of artificially aging a magazine tube will always end bad and steel wool leaves bare shiny metal without patina.
You are mistaken. Of course, it can “end bad,” if performed with haste & a heavy hand, but that’s not inevitable. I agree that replacement with an original part is best, but that’s not always possible or practical.
June 4, 2017
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AG,I have been the victim of the black arts, smooze and reblued, on collectable guns. If it’s a cold wipe on, it wipes off with G-96 or other cleaners, if it’s reblue it has no depth when exposed to bright light. I have paid $10,000 for a deluxe Winchester only to have it worth a couple thousand less after several wipe downs. It took me 5 years to find an original perfectly matched tube for that 86. I currently examine any potential purchase with a light and do not use G-96 in areas I suspect smooze. If your gun is a shooter or fun gun, go for it, you can improve the look. If your gun is collectible, point it out to the next owner up front. T/R
Appreciate the reply TR & info. I’m just about ready to try the wool. Like Clarence said it’s not always possible or practical. Nice to get some opinions here tho. I’ll update soon once I try the wool.
AG
June 4, 2017
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AG, You can not hurt the value of the tube , it (tube) is already reblued, go for it. T/R
October 4, 2017
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Try a Bircwood Casey lead remover cloth. They are made to remover lead from stainless revolver cylinders. Not perfect but may come out better than steel wool.
Dominic
Well I purchased the Birchwood Casey lead remover cloth. 5 mins worth & noticeable difference. Not sure how it will turn out but trial “or” error. Will update once I get a longer session.
AG
October 4, 2017
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I find those cloths better than steel wool. Slow a little at a time. May turn out passable.
(First time I figured it out I rubbed the blue off a darn nice cylinder.)
Dominic
March 31, 2009
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You know that guys like Turnbull do this all of the time.
September 29, 1993
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You might try using a lemon rind and carefully (slowly) rub the tube in a length-wise direction. I’ve seen it done and it will remove the re-blue and add patina to the tube.
WACA Life Benefactor Member
NRA Life Member
Thanks Rick. I’m going to try the lemon rind.
I would send it to Turnball but I can’t afford a 2nd mortgage(although they are incredible).
AG
March 31, 2009
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Yes the likes of Turnbull can be expensive but all he will do is age back the part to match the gun.
Tried the Birchwood Casey lead remover cloth. It definitely works. I also tried the lemon rind. Not sure if it works as it’s hard to tell after using the cloth. It’s obviously not going to ever work well enough to match but it’s not as noticeable now.
Thanks to all for your input.
AG
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