Clean and service old military arms

[protectur6poptectur]

I have an Eddystone 30-06 and a jungle carbine still in cosmoline except for the outside stocks. Does any one have any links to periodicals or online text on bringing them to serviceable condition. I plan on shooting both since they are not extremely valuable. Any info would help. Thanks

 

[1 old 0311]

The NRA has take down info on darn near everything. Check their site.

 

[haldir]

I have heard all sorts of ways to do it. My Dad said they used to use gas or carbon tetrachloride. I don't those are approved methods these days. Some people use mineral spirits, some boiling water, some use steamers...

by the way good looking dawg

 

[Crystalship1]

I have an Eddystone 30-06 and a jungle carbine still in cosmoline except for the outside stocks. Does any one have any links to periodicals or online text on bringing them to serviceable condition. I plan on shooting both since they are not extremely valuable. Any info would help. Thanks

Ummm.... FWIW.... Here's one that sold for over $2,000 in 2006:

CLICKY ----> Model 1917 Eddystone 30/06 Cal. SN- 1159165 Auction

So.......

 

[Flintlock]

Yeah, if they are still in the original cosmo packing, you may want to auction them and buy 5 shooters for the money you'd make. But if it is just cosmo from after storage or a rebuild kerosene, mineral spirits, and hoppes 9 works. Get a tooth brush and some qtips and scrub off the dried cosmo. Use a rag with mineral spirits to rub off the big bunches of cosmo.

 

[jontheturboguy]

Depending on if you want to keep it until the year 3125, or just protect the original finish, here's what I do to remove cosmo (as its known in industrial applications)

-Find a clean parts washer that uses 100% pure mineral spirits. They will strip the cosmo off for you, and at the same time, the spirits will not hurt any thing on the firearm.

 

[curraheeguns]

I always use kerosene to de-cosmo military guns. After a couple of hours it will all be melted away. I have a large stainless steel tank I use for complete barreled actions.

It is currently on loan to Beech Grove firearms. Greg and the boys at BGF will do it for you using my tank if you don't want to take the time or effort to do it yourself.

For stocks use no fume easy off, then steam them with a clothes steamer or wet washcloth and an iron. Then stain with leather dye and oil with linseed oil.

 

[CandRFan]

Here's a link to an article on cleaning cosmo from surplusrifle.com

Collecting and Shooting the Military Surplus Rifle (2005) - Surplusrifle.com

 

[Plague421]

Here's a link to an article on cleaning cosmo from surplusrifle.com

Collecting and Shooting the Military Surplus Rifle (2005) - Surplusrifle.com

Awesome article, learned allot.

 

[protectur6poptectur]

Thanks Crystalship1!
Unbelievable! I bought both guns from the long extinct Gun Room 20 years ago for $180 apiece and my gun habit was sidetracked until last year, so i lost touch on gun values. Guess i better check Krag-Jorgensen values, too. Thanks guys for all the info, it will definitely help.

 

[Crystalship1]

Thanks Crystalship1!
Unbelievable! I bought both guns from the long extinct Gun Room 20 years ago for $180 apiece and my gun habit was sidetracked until last year, so i lost touch on gun values. Guess i better check Krag-Jorgensen values, too. Thanks guys for all the info, it will definitely help.

I loved the Gun Room!!!!! Miss it a lot!!!!!!

I hope you find out that you're s is worth a lot!!!!