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February 17, 2022
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I recently acquired these boxes of 45-90 ammo. I am wondering the if I should clean them or leave as is. Being a Marine my natural instinct is to break out the Dura-Glit and make them shiny because there is only one true color of brass….. Polished!
September 22, 2011
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Leave as is!
March 31, 2009
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Don’t clean collector brass. If it is growing the green stuff wipe it off. Same with excessive amounts of lead dust. I use a wet rag. Just remember to not eat this stuff. The lead oxide is poisonous.
Nice box with the protective recessed primers.
February 17, 2022
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Chuck said
Don’t clean collector brass. If it is growing the green stuff wipe it off. Same with excessive amounts of lead dust. I use a wet rag. Just remember to not eat this stuff. The lead oxide is poisonous.Nice box with the protective recessed primers.
Chuck, are you indicating us Marines eat lead for a snack?
. Seriously tho I heard a rag dampened in a water/ baking soda mixture would help neutralize the verdigris..
April 15, 2005
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I too will emphatically tell you not to clean any of those old cartridges. The only thing I would do is to gently remove any active corrosion spots. A simple paper towel with a few drops of Kroil cam be used to gently rub the dark corrosion spots on the sides of the ctg. cases.
Bert
p.s. Marines are not the only people who like bright shiny brass… us Squids (submariners) are famous for polishing all of the brass and copper fixtures and bells.
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
February 17, 2022
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Bert H. said
I too will emphatically tell you not to clean any of those old cartridges. The only thing I would do is to gently remove any active corrosion spots. A simple paper towel with a few drops of Kroil cam be used to gently rub the dark corrosion spots on the sides of the ctg. cases.Bert
p.s. Marines are not the only people who like bright shiny brass… us Squids (submariners) are famous for polishing all of the brass and copper fixtures and bells.
Purely a little marine/ navy banter here. But, yes I am aware of the Navy’s penance for polishing brass. They needed something to do while they taxied us from one place to a other to chew on some lead. Ahh maybe that’s why I’m so grumpy, early stages of lead poisoning. LOL.
Just kidding Bert, takes all of us grunts to keep this country safe!
April 15, 2005
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oldcrankyyankee said
Bert H. said
I too will emphatically tell you not to clean any of those old cartridges. The only thing I would do is to gently remove any active corrosion spots. A simple paper towel with a few drops of Kroil cam be used to gently rub the dark corrosion spots on the sides of the ctg. cases.
Bert
p.s. Marines are not the only people who like bright shiny brass… us Squids (submariners) are famous for polishing all of the brass and copper fixtures and bells.
Purely a little marine/ navy banter here. But, yes I am aware of the Navy’s penance for polishing brass. They needed something to do while they taxied us from one place to a other to chew on some lead. Ahh maybe that’s why I’m so grumpy, early stages of lead poisoning. LOL.
Just kidding Bert, takes all of us grunts to keep this country safe!
Us Submariners never taxied a Marine anywhere… just tailed the bathtubs that were ferrying you so that you did not need to go for an extended swim! 
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
February 17, 2022
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Bert H. said
oldcrankyyankee said
Bert H. said
I too will emphatically tell you not to clean any of those old cartridges. The only thing I would do is to gently remove any active corrosion spots. A simple paper towel with a few drops of Kroil cam be used to gently rub the dark corrosion spots on the sides of the ctg. cases.
Bert
p.s. Marines are not the only people who like bright shiny brass… us Squids (submariners) are famous for polishing all of the brass and copper fixtures and bells.
Purely a little marine/ navy banter here. But, yes I am aware of the Navy’s penance for polishing brass. They needed something to do while they taxied us from one place to a other to chew on some lead. Ahh maybe that’s why I’m so grumpy, early stages of lead poisoning. LOL.
Just kidding Bert, takes all of us grunts to keep this country safe!
Us Submariners never taxied a Marine anywhere… just tailed the bathtubs that were ferrying you so that you did not need to go for an extended swim!
Clearly your goat is impossible to get! LOL. FWIW my x brother inlaw was a deep sea fish too. 24 years on LA classes. He had little sense of humor about Marines also.
April 15, 2005
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All Submariners have a wicked sense of humor… who else would think it is all fun & games to purposely sink a perfectly good boat ?
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
September 19, 2014
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To Marines and Sailors–the Army liked shiny copper pipes in the latrines, shiny brass on uniforms and white rocks on the ground! I would love to own stock in the company that made Brasso! Tim
March 31, 2009
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Tim, you forgot the shinny boots. I still have a pair in the closet. No spit shinning for me anymore. In basic the drill Sargent sold us a spray that he used so we could use it over the polish.
April 15, 2005
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tim tomlinson said
To Marines and Sailors–the Army liked shiny copper pipes in the latrines, shiny brass on uniforms and white rocks on the ground! I would love to own stock in the company that made Brasso! Tim
We used a lot of “Never Dull” – Eagle 1 Wadding Polish, 5 oz. E11035605 | Zoro
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
November 7, 2015
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I was thinking I’d toss them in my vibratory cleaner before I shot them but these are express loads and my 45-90 is a C. Sharps.
Mike
February 17, 2022
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Bert H. said
tim tomlinson said
To Marines and Sailors–the Army liked shiny copper pipes in the latrines, shiny brass on uniforms and white rocks on the ground! I would love to own stock in the company that made Brasso! Tim
We used a lot of “Never Dull” – Eagle 1 Wadding Polish, 5 oz. E11035605 | Zoro
Looks just like Dura-Glit, just a different colored can. That stuff is great, just don’t wipe you fingers off on your uniform. Stains like the dickens.
September 19, 2014
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Bert, That wadding sounds familiar. I had a can of some sort of wadding that did well, but couldn’t find a replacement in the Army post exchange. Carried a jeweler’s cloth in a plastic bag in my Class A’s for last second touch ups. Think I still have it. When I got to be a more wealthy CPT (yeah, no laughing) I got gold plated emblems and quit polishing every five seconds. As to boots, I still have my last pair of “jump boots” that I would spit polish. The spray on (think it a type of lacquer, maybe) tended to crack and craze, so stayed with the old tried and true. One or two parades in the real heat and they would finish looking like I used a chocolate bar to polish them, though. AAhh, memories (or night mares). Tim
September 19, 2014
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For the OP, we got WAY off topic, I am afraid! Sorry for that, but the good advice was already tendered. DO NOT POLISH the brass! Gently treat green corrosion as pointed out and let it go at that. Cartridges for collecting need look their age or you drastically affect their value. Tim
November 7, 2015
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tim tomlinson said
Bert, That wadding sounds familiar. I had a can of some sort of wadding that did well, but couldn’t find a replacement in the Army post exchange. Carried a jeweler’s cloth in a plastic bag in my Class A’s for last second touch ups. Think I still have it. When I got to be a more wealthy CPT (yeah, no laughing) I got gold plated emblems and quit polishing every five seconds. As to boots, I still have my last pair of “jump boots” that I would spit polish. The spray on (think it a type of lacquer, maybe) tended to crack and craze, so stayed with the old tried and true. One or two parades in the real heat and they would finish looking like I used a chocolate bar to polish them, though. AAhh, memories (or night mares). Tim
I did the LE thing when we all wore Wellington style boots. I seldom did the spit shine routine but they had to have a shine at the start of a shift. These nylon boots and vests cops wear these days tell me times have changed. No buttons, no leather, no polish. But they like to hear about the old days. I guess they’re OK.
Mike
February 17, 2022
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I thought Id throw this picture out there while we were talking about ammo. This is my very small collection of boxes. It’s not much just a few odds and ends I have found here and there. Of course my favorites are the 45-90’s but the 40-70 box, even though some what tattered and has only 5 reproduction cartridges is neat. Also have to ask, anyone have an idea what the two 45-90 boxes I started this thread with are worth?
Sorry they came out sideways again. Still can’t figure out why I can’t turn them
April 15, 2005
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I fixed it for you.
The picture simply needed to be cropped to change the width & height aspect and then reposted. If you look closely at the picture after it has been added to the upload que, you will see how it will be posted before you click the “Start Upload”. If it is not correctly oriented, click on it (highlight it) then hit your delete key. Then, go to your source file (where you have the picture stored) and edit the picture to change the view aspect.
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
February 17, 2022
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Bert H. said
I fixed it for you.The picture simply needed to be cropped to change the width & height aspect and then reposted. If you look closely at the picture after it has been added to the upload que, you will see how it will be posted before you click the “Start Upload”. If it is not correctly oriented, click on it (highlight it) then hit your delete key. Then, go to your source file (where you have the picture stored) and edit the picture to change the view aspect.
Bert
Oh thank you so much Bert. I will try this out next time.
