powder residue removal

[dropmdead]

Bit of an obscure question -
My buddy has an original wall gun dating back to 16c and is still fired using black powder.
Over the years, powder residue has built up at the flash hole area and bottom of the barrel.

Any ideas in helping remove the residue, given normal modern chemicals or boiling water doesn't do the job.

The other thing that must be considered is that the rifle still has the original finish on the outside, and must stay this way.

 

[Czhowa]

In inherited my great, great grandfather's muzzle loader (he was a gamekeeper and he took if from a famous local poacher and kept as a trophy).
Doubt it had fired a shot in 100 years and the flash hole was solid. Not sure if this will work for you but I got a bottle of hammerite rust remover dip. Halfrauds sell it. Left it soaking in the bore for 24 hours and tipped it out. Did this twice and the second time it had cleared the flash hole and leaked out all over the worktop. Flushed it out with boiling water, dried and oiled it.
It's only cheap so might be worth a try

 

[8x57]

Bit of an obscure question -
My buddy has an original wall gun dating back to 16c and is still fired using black powder.
Over the years, powder residue has built up at the flash hole area and bottom of the barrel.

Any ideas in helping remove the residue, given normal modern chemicals or boiling water doesn't do the job.

The other thing that must be considered is that the rifle still has the original finish on the outside, and must stay this way.

My experience with black powder guns is very limited but I have come across a black powder solvent for use similar to nitro solvent. Would this be worth giving a try?
Also I'm wondering because black powder is so corrosive if your chum managed to remove the long term build up of residue what condition is the metal beneath likely to be in. Would it for instance be deeply pitted?

 

[Czhowa]

I took mine to pantiles vintage guns in Tunbridge Wells years ago when I'd cleaned it up for them to give me a date on it. I asked if they thought it might be usable but they said they wouldn't recommend it.
Gotta be best to clean as much rust and other crap off and get it borescoped, don't want any nasty surprises.
Interestingly mine started out as a flintlock but was modified when technology advanced and the flash pan and hammer were swapped for a percussion set, apparently the poor man's option but evidently worked. I'm guessing your mates had the same work done?

 

[Stalker62]

 

[8x57]

I took mine to pantiles vintage guns in Tunbridge Wells years ago when I'd cleaned it up for them to give me a date on it. I asked if they thought it might be usable but they said they wouldn't recommend it.
Gotta be best to clean as much rust and other crap off and get it borescoped, don't want any nasty surprises.
Interestingly mine started out as a flintlock but was modified when technology advanced and the flash pan and hammer were swapped for a percussion set, apparently the poor man's option but evidently worked. I'm guessing your mates had the same work done?

Was it possible to remove the breech plug on your gun?

 

[Czhowa]

 

[Czhowa]

Probably possible but once I knew it would only be a wallhanger I left it alone. Shame really, I'd have like to take it out on some pheasants again

 

[8x57]

Looking at the photograph of the action and the shrinkage of the wood around the lock and breech I think you probably made the right decision.

Some years ago I was working with a guy who mentioned that his elderly neighbour had found an old gun in the attic. He brought it into work for me to have a look at. It was in similar condition visually to your gun and I never found out what the bore size was but it was certainly smaller than 12. The maker was Durrs Egg which I pointed out to them was a maker of considerable repute so the gun must have had some value. I expressed an interest in buying the gun if it was for sale and if it was in my price range but the old girl decided to keep it as it had belonged to one of her relatives long passed.

 

[A Guy Out West]

Ballistol should get it.