Dug a Pistol today!!!

[zaxfire69]

Hello Everyone. Today I went out for an evening hunt. I decided to take the ole F75 and go back over to a spot where I have dug a ton of 3 ring bullets and a General service eagle button. I wanted to dig a bullet or two, but what I dug this afternoon really surprised me. Was walking along and found a spot that was just full of iron signals..So I decided to start digging a few of them and see what I could come out with. They were all fairly shallow targets. First signal I dug was a nail. Covered the hole and dug the next signal. It rang in around a 12 or so. Strong overload. To my surprise I cut the plug and reaching it and grabbed what I thought was a small iron rod. Gave it a tug and out popped a freakin pistol. I could not believe it. Snapped a couple of pictures and moved on. Dug a pair of V nickels from the other side of the park as well today. Stayed out a couple of hours and dug a couple more wheat pennies then called it a day. I came home and ran the gun under some water and snapped you guys some pictures. I am going to find the fellow on here who has been cleaning up his axe heads so nicely and see if his method will work on this gun. I am getting away from electrolysis, because my results were not that great. I want this to clean up nicely. Thank you all for looking. zaxfire69

 

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[Papa Bear]

You're more than welcome. I'm just sharing what I learned from someone else. Like I said, be patient - it could take a week or so, but it will work.

Well, I learned something too!! Thanks!

 

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[Gunrunner61]

I sure will Rob. I'm looking for the fellow on here that cleaned his axe heads recently. I want to say he soaked them in some type of vinegar and would take them out occasionally and wire brush them. I don't want to electrolysis this one. I will do some research for sure and see what I can come up with Also...If any of you can ID the gun by all means jump on in. I'm trying to Id it now by the shape of it.

I did a doubled bitted spliting axe, I took two days, And two bottles of vineger. And buddy it did a wonderfull job! I'd say one to two days, whatever is left on day one take a brass brush and lightly brush it off, then another soaking, when your done with the vineger bath make sure the run rinse it in cold plain water, to stop the process, Good luck and please show us the results, Cant wait to see it cleaned up. HH

 

[zaxfire69]

I'll take a picture when I get home in the morning. Hopefully this wire brushing will show some details. It is in rough shape.

 

[zaxfire69]

This is after 3 days in Vinegar.

Going to leave it in and change the Vinegar tonight or tomorrow.

 

[Dig Daddy]

Awesome find zaxfire69 and great info Stonewall,thx

 

[zaxfire69]

Day 4 in Vinegar. I could probably take the Dremel tool and Drill with wire brush to it at this point, but I am still going to let it soak a couple more days. This stuff is amazing on Iron. BAD thing is I know a guy that drinks this stuff..OMG..If it will dissolve rust off of iron think about what it would do to your stomach.

 

[Valley Ranger]

This is after 3 days in Vinegar.

Going to leave it in and change the Vinegar tonight or tomorrow.

Oh yeah, it's working, it's working right on schedule. Comin' right along. Keep at it, don't be afraid to brush it.

 

[Valley Ranger]

I like your quote! Is that original?

 

[Valley Ranger]

Day 4 in Vinegar. I could probably take the Dremel tool and Drill with wire brush to it at this point, but I am still going to let it soak a couple more days. This stuff is amazing on Iron. BAD thing is I know a guy that drinks this stuff..OMG..If it will dissolve rust off of iron think about what it would do to your stomach.

Very nice Zax - workin' just like it's supposed to! BTW, you can likely pop some of those remaining rust spots off with the point of a pocket knife. Apple cider vinegar is an amazing product. It's gotta lot of uses - works great on cleaning glass too. And, yes, it's good for you! I take a shot every now and then myself, though I mix some water with it.

 

[NOLA_Ken]

Looking good! I'm guessing no markings were left? Well no big deal it's still a great looking relic even if you don't know who made it!

 

[timekiller]

I've looked at a lot of them & the best match to me is the colt new line 32.cal.
Take Care,
Pete,

 

[sscindercoop]

Very cool

 

[zaxfire69]

Thanks Nola Ken, Pete and Coop. I'm like you guys. The Colt New Line is the closest match I could find. I fit a .22 bullet into the end of the barrel and it was larger than the bullet. That leads me to believe that it is a .32 caliber. It was about that size. I bought my Briwax today to preserve the gun. A couple more days in the cider and it should be ready to finish cleaning and then heating and applying wax. I'm excited to get it out and preserve it.

 

[GhostCoast]

So sweet! I can't wait to see how it cleans up too. Perhaps you can treat us with pictures each step of the way.......

 

[Hot zone]

Try the buffer and blue wonder. Looks like it could use some new grips too. The replacement cylinder is a little pricey though. I wouldn't try shooting it till you slug the barrel either. Just sayin...

 

[zaxfire69]

Ghostcoast I'm going to Take pictures for sure. As far as shooting or putting grips on this gun..she has seen better days! Time for the display case now.

 

[cdobis]

Great find! It makes you wonder just how old it is, and if it was used in any old crime.
Please keep us updated.

 

[cdobis]

Wow, that Colt sure does look close. You mail have nailed it timekeeper.

 

[zaxfire69]

It is in the oven! Pictures to Follow!

 

[Valley Ranger]

Lookin' forward to seeing the final product!