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Cleaning an in-the-white receiver and bolt

S/42

Thunda from down unda
OK, it's not a Gew98, but close. Picked up an all-matching Argentine M1909 today for pocket change. Stock is superb, bore is PROBABLY superb under the grease...

The receiver and bolt had been cleaned of their protective grease, and so have tarnished, and some surface rust over time. What is the BEST way to bring these back to near like the original finish? I am NOT going to polish them on a rag mop wheel!!!!! It has to be done RIGHT - burnished bolt, "scratch" receiver.I remember Bill Reed giving a great dissertation on this years ago.

Was thinking for NOW to just soak in ballistol for a while to at least penetrate and soften the rust for now.

Thanks.
 
For rust Kroil + 0000 steel wool on bright metal, blued metal brass wool. If it is just typical patina I wouldn't do either, but some might. I generally think less is best, usually the best thing is to do nothing but preserve where the rifle is currently at, unless it has rust or some obvious problem.

You are right though, MauserBill is the specialist on these things, I have never seen him unable to come up with a solution to a problem when it comes to a German military rifle 1888-1945. I am sure he has guidelines for a typical rifle that comes through his hands.
 

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