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Hello,
What would cause this type of discoloration on the breechbolt of a Winchester 61?
Thanks,
Phil
Its not a very good picture but it looks like rust. If it doesn’t rub off with a rag and a bore cleaner, its rust.
Bob
WACA Life Member--- NRA Life Member---- Cody Firearms member since 1991 Researching the Winchester 1873's
Email: [email protected]
Thanks Bob.
That is what I suspected. I was interested in one of these for sale but the discoloration was making me very hesitant. The owner stated that it is not pitting and you cannot feel it with a finger nail.
I thought maybe some 0000 steel wool may remove however still a little hesitant in purchasing and not being able to remove.
Thanks,
Phil
Looks like some type of corrosion caused by a fingerprint – wiping down a receiver does not necessarily clean the breech bolt – as there looks like some old oil on the bolt in the lower left corner that has varnished over time.
I have a Model 61 that my Dad bought in 1952 – the gun went everywhere and it was not babied or neglected but there is no marking like the above on the bolt.
The Blue on the receiver looks pretty good so maybe the damage developed over a long period of storage.
I’d buy it if the price was right.
Just looking at the photo, it looks to me like a discoloration, but not so much rust. Hence, not a big issue, and I would buy the gun if there were no other issues.
Once you get it, take the bolt out of the receiver and have a good look.
If you think it’s rust, you may want to start with a Big 45 pad, which won’t leave marks on the metal.
In this case, I would probably go directly to a metal polish; Flitz usually works pretty well.
Might require a fair bit of rubbing, but you should end up with a nice shiny bolt!
Phil said
Thanks Bob.That is what I suspected. I was interested in one of these for sale but the discoloration was making me very hesitant. The owner stated that it is not pitting and you cannot feel it with a finger nail.
I thought maybe some 0000 steel wool may remove however still a little hesitant in purchasing and not being able to remove.
Thanks,
Phil
Not knowing anything about these rifles I would not use steel wool or better yet bronze wool without plenty of oil for lubrication.
Hello Phil,
I have looked at right at 7500 Mode l61 rifles in my survey of these rifles and have noticed a very similar discoloration of a fair number of them. I have never had the opportunity to try to discern a cause or a cure.
Michael
Model 1892 / Model 61 Collector, Research, Valuation
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