Need advice on the finish of my classic antique marlin 45-70 levergun

[opatriot]

Gday friends........... well I would be gratefull for your advice......please forgive me if I ask a stupid question  .........I have an origanal 1890 45-70 marlin levergun my gradad gave to me before he passed......id say its in very good condition for its age ....i recently loaded up some light cast loads and took it to the range ...WHAT A HOOT ....1" groups at 50 yrd. with buckhorn sights....anyways ..i would like to preserve this classic  the best i can .plus shoot it from time to time.........it has a brown type finish on it that looks good , no steel showing through ...BUT the side of the gun, the reciever,  that was faceing the wall on the rack is starting to show texture on it sort of like the beginings of suface rust ......HOW do i repair this or should i work on it ..?? will it damage the guns value for me to try and rub it off with steelwool or something else ....can gun be re browned..??..what about stock ..?? will it damage value to resurface old worn stock ..???  i will try and post some pics tomorrow...........any opinion - help would be welcome .........thanx..davey

[gunnut69]

A little light dust rust can be removed OK but not too much.. Refinishing will affect the value in it's most basic sense but a little maintenance is OK. Steel fur(0000 grade) and WD40 used lightly can remove light dust rust and leave an oily film. Cleaned the steel can be coated with a preservative like 'RustPreventIt' (Birchwood Casey I think) which is a spray on wipe off product I've used with a lot of success. It leaves a waxy coating the protects from finger prints but is easily removed with normal solvents. It is only for the outside of the piece but is a good product. Refinishing wood is a more difficult questiion. Usually the value is decreased unless the wood was so bad that damage was escalating then it may increase the value if well done. Restoring a worn or damaged finish is easier and usually if done well is very difficult to see, thus minimizing value loss. Then there is the total restoration as done by folks like Turnbulll. If there is significant wear and sale value is not the point, he can bring the weapon back to factory new, perhaps even better. That is a very expensive option however. For most a little cleaning/restoration, shoot it, and enjoy!

[gwindrider1]

Davey,

Since this was your Grandfather's rifle, I' certain that it means a great deal to you.  Google Doug Turnbull Restorations.  It wouldn't hurt to get an estimate from Doug on refinishing that receiver. 

He is a master with matching the old original finishes.

[iiranger]

Likely, your gun had a "blue" finish on it when it was new and the "blue" finish (a controlled rusting) is rusting to "red rust" brown. Air with moisture and oxygen does that.
***YOU HAVE TO MAKE THE CALL*** If you refinish, you destroy the guns "originalness." I have no idea how well Marlins are collected around you, not the greatest anywhere--all Colt & Winchester; how much do you want to preserve.........

Friend, buddy had a 73 Win. "in the family."  It had been refiinished. Collector told him it would have more value with the new finish removed, "in the white," than with the refinish. It was a good job...

Tricks begin with a plain old wooden pencil. "SOFT" lead (which is really graphite and clay). You rub the spot with the lead and remove the lead and rust with the plain, pink (or green) rubber eraser.. Quick, easy, BUT:  #1). I did not say and DO NOT use "ink" erasers with grit in them. Like sandpaper. #2). With the aged condition of the rust... it will be quicker and easier to "go thru" /penetrate so be careful. BE CAREFUL. Start with a #2 and move as needed... I think #3 is softer... Actually leaving the graphite is a poor rust preventative but better than nothing and when it rubs off on your clothes, you will hear from the laundressss.... 

If you are going to use a "wool" there is brass wool available which is softer and more forgiving. Most large hardware stores will have it if you ask. Steel wool is harsher and if you are not a "master craftsman" --I  use brass wool.

The purpose of finish is to cover the steel with an acceptable appearance and a layer of holes, pores that will hold a protectant. Animals fats and mineral oils are the common lubes from that era. Whale oil, too. Outlawed today. GOOD NEWS: Today we have so much improved lubes beginning with WD 40, which is now CRUDE; you can move on, stop the deterioration, use the gun on occassion... Break free, Triflo, vist a hardware store/auto store and read labels. I would not mix them, but they are there and a blessing/BLESSING compared to lard, tallow, rosin, etc. Study the labels. GUNK will remove blue... !! (Learned that the hard way). enjoy your prize. luck.

[opatriot]

Thank you all for your advice I welcome any and all........I am just a poor farmer with two boys in high school that want to go on to college...sooooooo..I  am handy with most things and try and teach myself the rest ....i dont know if i could pay for a custom refinish by a pro ...most of my gun collection are good used guns i pick up when i find a bargain..........I do want to preserve the integrity of this rifle ,want to stop the rust and preserve it ......I will try and post a couple of pics , havnt done that yet on graybeards sooo here go's ........... top pic is the side with rust apearing looks like under the finish maybe......bottom pic is the good side .....

[opatriot]

OK ...Here is another pic.........I think ill try some of that fine brass wool in a small area...ill try and find some tonight ..........thanx ..davey..................also more pics in my yahoo photo album  ill post address but im not sure if it will work ....... photos.yahoo.com/1difabio@sbcglobal.net

[gunnut69]

Use the steel fur (0000) 4 zero grade and a bit of WD40 to smooth the brown patina. Don't remove it just smooth it out. Then the brown coat can help prevent further rusting by retaining the rust proofing compounds. Wd40 if smoothed on and allowed to dry will become a varnish but is not very durable. Sprayed down with 'RustPreventIt' from Birchwood-casey and rubbed down with a cloth the brown will become smooth and further rusting will not happen. You can use bees wax or even WD40 but they require more trouble and don't last as long. The Rust proofing spray can be had from several mail order places.. Don't remove the brown down to bare metal, it is nearly impossible to stop rust on bare metal as the preservatives have nothing to help them stay put. Also a safety note. Marlin in response to some accidents has issued a warning to stop use of most of the older lever guns. The metals and material were just failing..  Light loads and recreational shooting are cetainly in order..